Location: Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation offers a comprehensive treatment program for the management of individuals suffering from lymphedema. Compassionate therapists with specialized training in lymphedema will attend to each patient on a one-to-one basis.

What Is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid that causes swelling of a body part (typically an arm or leg.) The fluid is produced by the lymphatic system, which is part of the circulatory system. The lymphatic system acts as the body’s sewage system, to remove and filter wastes, viruses, and bacteria. A healthy lymphatic system normally transports from one to two liters of lymphatic fluid per day.

It is a chronic and progressive condition, which can usually be brought under control with proper care, treatment, and attention to basic guidelines.

Lymphedema is common among women who have undergone breast cancer surgery and treatment. Approximately 25-50 percent of patients who have undergone axillary node surgery will develop lymphedema. Those who have had axillary surgery plus radiation therapy are at even higher risk. This condition is estimated to affect over two million people in the United States.

Lymphedema can happen three months, three years, or 30 years after surgery. The triggering event may be a simple scratch, insect bite, trauma such as a blow to the arm, a needle puncture, sunburn, or very frequently the pressure changes incurred during an airplane flight.

Stages

• Stage 1 - The first sign of lymphedema is a visible, measurable swelling of an arm or leg. This swelling may be accompanied by a sensation of heaviness in the limb along with warmth and pain.
• Stage 2 - If untreated, the swelling will increase, causing the affected area to become hard and reducing mobility.

Treatment Methods

Lymphedema treatment was first developed in Germany and Austria, and has recently made its way to North America. There are two stages to lymphedema treatment.

• Reduction Phase - involves intensive treatment to reduce the size of the extremity by a combination of manual therapy and compression bandaging.
• Maintenance Phase - includes low intensity long-term treatment to maintain the reduction.

The approach used at our program is referred to as Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP). It is a safe, rapid and effective treatment, consisting of the following four steps:

1.       Hygiene and topical skin care

2.       Manual lymph drainage by massage

3.       Compression bandaging and garment

4.       Exercise, elevation, and education

The purpose of CDP is to improve central lymph flow by opening the non-functioning lymphatic system through massage.

The real importance of our program is that patients are taught the CDP method during their treatment sessions, so they can continue to improve at home.

Program Expertise

The lymphedema program is administered by registered and certified physical medicine professionals who have undergone intensive training.

Program Length

A typical course of treatment is three to five times a week, for as long as four to six weeks. The time required to reduce the size of the swollen limb to near normal size will vary. In general the earlier the treatment is begun the shorter the length of treatment. The initial visit for evaluation may take up to two hours. Subsequent visits are between 1 to 11/2 hours.

Successful lymphedema management is time consuming and requires personal commitment from both patient and the treating specialist. When the commitment to a comprehensive approach has been made, the results are very positive.

Our services can be accessed through direct referral from a physician or other health care professional, home health agency, or self-referral. Coverage for our services varies by insurance plan and pre-authorization may be required.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Lymphedema Management at (717) 544-3773.