Do you have swelling and wondering what to do next? While every individual case is different, treatment generally follows a few typical paths. The journey to managing your lymphatic conditions starts here, and each step is filled with possibilities!
For edema, which is usually of short duration as part of the healing process after injury or after a strain, the treatment is the simplest. In many cases, simply resting and slightly elevating the affected body part is sufficient. If the strain is not recurrent, the edema usually diminishes on its own. After a sprain, some gentle movement may be advisable (emphasis on gentle). For those who sit or stand for long periods and experience ankle swelling, such as people taking a long plane flight or those in careers like nursing or retail, over-the-counter compression socks may be worn to minimize swelling.
Lymphedema and lipedema, on the other hand, are chronic conditions, for which there really isn’t a cure. These are considered to be ‘managed’ conditions, where the patient will always have to engage in some treatment or self-care to manage their symptoms.
In the case of lymphedema after surgical removal of lymph nodes, for example, there is no way for the nodes to regrow. Those pathways are always going to be inhibited, so the patient will need to be aware of their self-care needs and follow the instructions of their health-care team. For some, this may mean doing daily self-lymphatic drainage, or receiving regular manual drainage from a trained therapist. They may also need to wear a prescription compression sleeve or other garment, sized to fit their limb and give the necessary level of compression to keep fluid from building up. Although lymphedema patients were previously advised against too much exercise, newer studies show that a well-managed program designed by a physical therapist or licensed athletic trainer can be very beneficial.
With lipedema, the only lasting treatment is a surgical intervention, which is basically a specialized form of liposuction that attempts to remove the fibrotic fat without damaging the peripheral lymphatic vessels. This is generally not the first treatment under consideration, and most doctors and patients prefer to stick with more conservative treatment options. Many of these are the same as for lymphedema: wearing of compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage (either by a therapist, self-treatment, or use of a pneumatic pump device), and gentle exercise to support the movement of the lymphatics.
You don’t have to navigate your lymphatic journey alone! Get in touch with our team today to discover how our expert guidance can enhance your quality of life.