Physical Therapy & Lymphedema Specialists
As explained by the National Lymphedema Network, Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arm(s) and/or leg(s), and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired (primary), or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed (secondary).
When the impairment becomes so great that the lymphatic
fluid exceeds the lymphatic transport capacity, an abnormal amount of
protein-rich fluid collects in the tissues of the affected area. Left
untreated, this stagnant, protein-rich fluid not only causes tissue channels to
increase in size and number, but also reduces oxygen availability in the
transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a culture medium
for bacteria that can result in lymphangitis (infection).
Lymphedema should not be confused with edema resulting from
venous insufficiency, which is not lymph-edema. However, untreated venous
insufficiency can progress into a combined venous/lymphatic disorder which is
treated in the same way as lymphedema.
What Causes Lymphedema?
Lymphedema occurs when your lymph vessels are unable to
adequately drain lymph fluid, usually from an arm or leg. Lymphedema can be
either primary or secondary. This means it can occur on its own (primary
lymphedema) or it can be caused by another disease or condition (secondary
lymphedema). Secondary lymphedema is far more common than primary lymphedema.
Secondary lymphedema, or acquired lymphedema, can develop as a result of surgery, radiation, infection or trauma. Specific surgeries, such as surgery for melanoma or breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate or testicular, bladder or colon cancer, all of which currently require removal of lymph nodes, put patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema. If lymph nodes are removed, there is always a risk of developing lymphedema.
Secondary lymphedema can develop immediately post-operatively, or weeks, months, even years later. It can also develop when chemotherapy is unwisely administered to the already affected area (the side on which the surgery was performed) or after repeated aspirations of a seroma (a pocket of fluid which occurs commonly post-operatively) in the axilla, around the breast incision, or groin area. This often causes infection and, subsequently, lymphedema.
Aircraft flight has also been linked to the onset of lymphedema in patients post-cancer surgery (likely due to the decreased cabin pressure).
The lymphatic system of our body is extremely important because it keeps the body healthy. It circulates protein-rich lymph fluid throughout your body, collecting bacteria, viruses and waste products. Your lymphatic system carries this fluid and harmful substances through your lymph vessels, which lead to lymph nodes. The wastes are then filtered out by lymphocytes — infection-fighting cells that live in your lymph nodes — and ultimately flushed from your body.
Symptoms of Lymphedema:
Lymphedema can develop in any part of the body, in one arm or both, in one leg or both. It can also be present in the trunk of the body, the chest area, groin area or in the face and neck. Signs or symptoms of lymphedema to watch out for include:
- A full sensation in the limb(s), skin feeling tight, decreased flexibility in the hand, wrist or ankle.
- Difficulty fitting into clothing in one specific area, or ring/wristwatch/bracelet tightness.
- a clear liquid, oozing from the leg or arm which leaves a yellowish stain on a clean cloth.
Treatments for Lymphedema:
- You'll be seen and treated by a Physical Therapist whom is LANA certified (Lymphology Association of North America) Lymphedema Therapist.
- A special lymphatic massage will be performed known as: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
- Most likely your limb may require bandaging: using short stretch bandages.
- Utilizing proper skin care
- Why the use of compression garments, such as (sleeves, stockings, devices such as Mediven, Jobst, JUZO, FarroWrap, CircAid as well as other alternative approaches)
- Remedial therapeutic exercises at our gym.
- Self-manual lymphatic drainage & bandaging education.
- Patient & family member education to assist the patient.
- Kinesio Tapping Techniques.
- We do not use mechanical Pumps to treat Lymphedema; although there is room for certain multi-chamber-compression pumps in the field of lymphedema, most just move fluid from one area to a lesser area of the body giving you the false impression that it works. Unfortunately, if you do not urinate the extra "protein-rich fluid" out of the body then you're wasting your money and time with a pump. We emphasize the complete decongestive therapy whenever possible as this methods has been, and continue to be the "gold standard" of lymphedema treatment in Europe for the last 50 years.
OmniTherapy Center
557 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Tel.(973) 429-0890 Fax (973) 748-8661
