About Lymphedema

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphatic obstruction is a blockage in the lymphatic system that causes tissues to become swollen with lymphatic fluid. Known as lymphedema, it can result in swelling of the arms or legs. Primary lymphedema is usually caused by a genetic disorder, secondary lymphedema is often a result of cancer treatments.

How is Lymphedema Classified?

STAGE 1: This is the mildest form. Your limb is usually normal size in the morning, but swells during the day. Tissue will hold an indentation when you press on it.
STAGE 2: This stage is moderate. It’s characterized by an irreversible form of swelling in which your limb tissue feels spongy to the touch.
STAGE 3: This is the most severe stage. It involves an irreversible form of edema in which your affected limb hardens and becomes very large.

What are the Symptoms?

The main symptom is persistent (chronic) swelling, usually of the arm or leg.

Treating Lymphedema

Treating Lymphedema

The first steps of treatment are to decrease the pain or disability the patient is experiencing.
This can most efficiently be done with a compressible system prescribed by you. It will include elastic stockings that squeeze the extremity which in turn squeezes the veins which should stop excess blood from flowing backward. The affected extremity will often see the healing of skin sores in CVI patients. If the patient is a lifetime candidate for this system, the stocking should keep skin sores from returning.
Compression is a common form of treatment for lymphedema as well. Compressing the affected limb encourages the lymphatic fluids to move toward your torso in a more normal pattern of circulation. Wrapping your arm, leg or torso tightly with an elastic bandage or wearing a compression garment keeps continuous pressure on the area.
A more comprehensive form of compression therapy, is pneumatic compression or a lymphedema pump. This is prescribed by you, but supplied and serviced by MCB-DME. The pump involves sleeves that inflate and stimulate the proper flow of lymphatic fluid. It is FDA approved and currently the best compressible system on the market and with MCB-DME’s support, it is also the best value.