Lymphedema Treatment

One of the primary causes of lymphedema is cancer treatment resulting in the removal or damage to the lymph nodes, especially breast cancer surgery. When lymph nodes are removed due to surgery or damaged during radiation, the body can’t process and remove fluid normally. Other causes include:

• Blood flow issues
• Obesity
• Trauma

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty walking, standing or sitting for long periods of time
• Inability to wear normal fitting clothing and shoes
• Nerve pain and numbness in the arms and legs
• Pain or heaviness in the arms and legs
• Tightness of the skin (feels like skin is stretching/pulling)

Your certified lymphedema therapist will carefully review your medical history and symptoms, and also evaluate your:

• Arm or leg measurements to map progress throughout therapy
• Mobility, strength and range of motion
• Skin quality and texture in the swollen areas

Since there is no cure for lymphedema, the condition will likely require lifelong management. It’s essential that you commit to the self-care component of lymphedema treatment. Your lymphedema specialist will provide you with the education and resources you need to achieve a successful outcome.

Our lymphedema therapists use a technique called complete decongestive therapy (CDT). This multistage lymphedema therapy program focuses on reducing swelling and maintaining those results in the long term. Depending on the severity of your lymphedema, CDT can take three to six weeks. Complete decongestive therapy includes:

• Lymphatic drainage massage
• Compression bandaging
• Exercise
• Skin care

Lymphatic drainage massage

The first goal of CDT is to reduce lymphatic swelling. Our lymphedema specialists are specially trained in lymphatic drainage massage, or manual lymphatic drainage.

This hands-on lymphedema therapy pushes excess lymphatic fluid to areas of the body that contain functioning lymph nodes. We train the body to reroute fluid to these healthy areas. For example, if you’ve had breast cancer surgery on your left side, your lymphedema therapist may try to massage excess fluid toward the right side of the chest or down toward the groin.

Compression bandaging

After reducing swelling with lymphatic massage, your lymphedema specialist will prevent further fluid buildup by applying compression bandages. You may wear a stocking, sleeve or other type of compression garment during therapy and at home.

You’ll need to commit to wearing compression garments for about 20 hours each day to achieve the best results. This is typically done for a few weeks. Then we help you transition into a compression stocking for long-term, daytime use. Your lymphedema therapist can recommend supplies and teach you or your caregiver how to wrap and remove bandages.

Exercise

Exercise can help move fluid out of the extremities. Your lymphedema specialist will create a custom fitness program based on your mobility level and the severity of your lymphedema. You should continue to wear your compression garments during exercise. Your lymphedema therapist may also recommend deep breathing exercises, which can move lymph through the bloodstream.

Skin care

Our lymphedema specialists monitor your skin closely and teach you how to keep it clean, dry and moisturized. As skin stretches from fluid buildup, small tears can develop that may lead to infections or wounds.

• Get a referral: A referral for lymphedema treatment that’s dated and has been signed by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within the last 90 days.
• Make an appointment: With this referral, you can schedule an appointment by calling one of our locations, or through your Henry Ford MyChart account.
• Provide your information: Either way, our team will gather information from you about your condition and referring provider, and will also verify your insurance coverage.
• Start your lymphedema therapy treatment: Then you’ll be paired with the most appropriate lymphedema specialist for your needs and start your therapy.

You should also plan to attend regularly scheduled lymphedema therapy appointments to ensure that you get the most out of treatment.