Lymphatic obstruction

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Lymphatic system

Yellow nail syndrome

Lymphedema

Treatment for lymphedema includes:

• Range of motion exercises
• Compression (usually with multi-layered bandages)
• Manual lymph drainage (MLD)

Manual lymph drainage is a light massage therapy technique that involves moving the skin in particular directions based on the structure of the lymphatic system. This helps encourage drainage of the fluid and waste through the appropriate channels.

Other important aspects of treatment include skin care to prevent injuries, infection, and skin breakdown, as well as light exercise and movement programs. Exercise should be carefully designed by a physical therapist to encourage drainage without developing swelling from overexertion which could make your condition worse.

Wearing compression stockings on the affected area or using an intermittent pneumatic compression pumps may be helpful. Your doctor and physical therapist will decide which compression methods are best.

Surgery is used in some cases, but success is limited. The surgery must have significant experience with the type of procedures. Physical therapy will still be needed after surgery to reduce lymphedema.

Surgical options include:

• Removal of tissue containing abnormal lymph tissue
• Liposuction
• Transplant of tissue from areas with normal lymphatic tissues to areas with abnormal lymphatic drainage (less common)

Rarely, bypass of abnormal lymph tissue may be done using vein grafts. Such procedures are frequently unsuccessful, and are usually performed on an experimental basis.

Lymphedema is a chronic disease that usually requires lifelong management. In some cases, lymphedema improves with time, but some degree of swelling usually persists for years after onset.

In addition to swelling, the most common complications include:

• Skin breakdown
• Chronic wounds and ulcers

Thus, patients must be vigilant about skin care and hygiene. There is also a small risk of developing a lymph tissue-related cancer

See your doctor if you have ongoing swelling of your arms, legs, or lymph nodes.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.