Lymphedema Treatment
‘Lymphedema / Elephant foot disease’ is a medical condition causing huge swelling of any part of your body (legs or arms) due to excess build-up of fluid beneath skin.
Why does it happen? | |
In our body, like blood circulation system there is one more system called ‘Lymphatic system’. Basic function of lymphatic system is removal of proteins & water from different body parts & return it to blood circulation. If the lymphatic vessels/nodes are damaged, it can lead to accumulation of protein + water in that particular body part causing large swelling (Lymphedema). |
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Who can develop lymphedema? What are the causes? | |
Basically there are two types:
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What are the symptoms / clinical presentation? | |
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What if untreated? | |
May get complicated by
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Goal of the treatment? | |
First - To reduce the swelling with help of remaining healthy lymph vessels. Second - Once the swelling is decreased, we need to maintain the reduction and prevent re-accumulation of lymph fluid. |
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How it’s treated? | |
The ideal treatment is Combined Decongestive Therapy(CDT).It has three components. 1. Manual lymph drainage (MLD) Foot & leg massage + Lympha-press therapy Lymphedema press treatment3. Compression therapy-Compression stockings/devices Compression therapy |
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Is there a role of surgery? | |
Very limited role. Results are not promising with surgery. | |
Can swelling develop again? | |
Even after successful treatment, the body part affected by lymphedema is at risk for re-accumulation of fluid and it requires life - long care. |
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