The Sam & Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center

Lymphedema Education and Treatment

If you say “yes” to any of the following symptoms, you may have lymphedema…

• A feeling of heaviness and limitation of movement in a limb
  
• Repeated infections in the affected area
  
• Skin thickening, clear fluid leaking from the skin onto clothing
  
• Difficulty fitting arms or legs into clothing
  
• Sudden swelling and condition worsens over time
  
• Altered lifestyle due to physical symptoms
  

Lymphedema refers to the swelling caused by the buildup of lymphatic fluid in the tissues. It is a chronic and progressive disorder that usually worsens over time if not treated. With education about risk factors and by using exercising caution after an injury to the lymph nodes, patients can sometimes prevent this difficult condition from developing.

There are two types of lymphedema:

• Primary- occurs for unexplained reasons. It may be present at birth or occur in early adolescents or in mid-life. It almost always involves only the legs and affects females more often than males.
  Lymphoscintigraphy is a test that may need to be done to confirm the diagnosis and detect where the malfunction has occurred.
  
• Secondary- most common type and generally caused by trauma, infection, scarring, lymph node surgery, or as a result of radiation treatment combined with surgery to the lymph nodes.
  

Our Nationally Certified Lymphedema Specialists use Complete Decongestive Therapy to treat lymphedema. The length of treatment depends on the severity and duration of the existing lymphedema. This treatment involves two steps:

• PHASE 1
  
  • Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a type of light massage that causes the fluid to move from the blocked pathways and lessening the swelling. In most cases, this treatment is scheduled daily, Monday through Friday for two to three weeks.
    
  • Compression Bandaging combined with massage is used to reduce swelling of the area. Patients are taught to bandage themselves at home on non-treatment days and night time use in Phase 2.
    
  • Exercise and Nurtritional Support are vital to the overall treatment plan.
    
  • Hygiene and Skin Care is of utmost importance to fight against bacteria and fungal growth.
    

• PHASE 2
  • A Compression Garment will be ordered at the end of the course of treatment in order to maintain the reduced limb size and skin integrity. It is to be worn daily.
    
  • Home Instruction for managing the lymphedema will be given and is tailored to meet the individual patient's needs.
    

Pneumonic Pumps are NOT recommended by the Breast Center as a part of the management of lymphedema. For more information concerning this, please give us a call.

Insurance Coverage: The treatment for Lymphedema is reimbursable by many insurance companies, including Medicare. Individual plans tend to reimburse at varying rates. Please inquire to see if there are existing Grants or Funds to assist in the costs of bandaging supplies and compression garments.

A Referral from a physician is required before treatment can begin. A prescription which states the condition and the primary diagnosis (such as breast cancer, etc.) along with a recent health record and physical examination by a primary care physician must be submitted to be part of our medical records. Patients whose lymphedema is secondary to a cancer must be examined by a Cancer Specialist prior to treatment to rule out a recurrance.

The Lymphedema Team consists of licensed professionals who are trained and nationally certified in the technique of Complete Decongestive Therapy. Close communication is maintained with the primary care physician throughout the course of treatment. Any complications or symptoms are reported immediately.

Lymphedema Management is scheduled and performed at Outpatient Rehab Services at 12 High Street, Suite 102, and is adjacent to CMMC. Please call 207-795-2122.

More information about Lymphedema