Lymphedema therapy

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

Found out yesterday that DH will need lymphedema therapy for six weeks due to his cancer surgery on his leg several years ago. Has anyone had this therapy on their leg? Most everyone I know has had this following breast cancer surgery and that is different therapy than for extremities. Any info would help.TIA!

godi · ‎03-09-2010

I do not have any information for you I just want you to know that I will be praying for his speedy recovery. 🙏

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@lovesrecess ---hi there---yes i have had that type of p/t for the slight lymphedema in my left arm. Had breast cancer in left breast, removed it along with several lymph nodes so occasionally, when i over do using it ,such as lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying things, that are too heavy for it, it swells up. Mostly the therapy is very gentle massaging as well as wrapping in bandages. Nothing hurts. My arm is never hugely enlarged like I know can happen. I have a compression sleeve and glove I wear. Had some therapy that included compression of my arm too, as part of the therapy. Worked well but takes time. I think I go for at least a month once or twice a week. Please ask any mre questions if you need to. always happy to help!!

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@lovesrecess

Pretty sure the Physical Therapist will do some type of stretching and movement exercises. Which ones probably will depend on DH overall mobility when he starts the therapy.

I have never had this but I have seen a few at physical Therapy, most recently during my wife's PT. Therapist had this patient riding the recumbent and also doing leg raises similar to my wife's exercises.

The Therapist also put some type of wrap on this patient's leg, no ice, looked more like a type of compression wrap from what I could tell.

I know from reading and attending several clinics that almost all lower extremities that have some sort of swelling or pooling, some type of movement is usually required to help it.

My best wishes to your DH and to you also.

hckynut

hckynut(john)

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

Thank you so much! The dr gave him his personal cell # and told him to call with any questions, so I think he will do fine. Biggest concern for me is I can’t go with him☹️ since it is in a large hospital.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@lovesrecess ---No I didn't get any exercises for my arm. i just massaged it like I was told to do---the massaging is so gentle and lightly done, you would hardly think it could do much good. Try google for info. I found youtube vids that showed how and what to do, but mine was my arm and not the leg. exercise was what made my arm act up.

Toppers3 · ‎10-25-2016

@wagirl wrote:
@lovesrecess ---No I didn't get any exercises for my arm. i just massaged it like I was told to do---the massaging is so gentle and lightly done, you would hardly think it could do much good. Try google for info. I found youtube vids that showed how and what to do, but mine was my arm and not the leg. exercise was what made my arm act up.

I found out from having therapy done myself on my legs and body that the Lymph system is pretty much right below the skin from my understanding, so only a light touch is needed with Lymph massage.

@hckynut , Yes, what you saw was correct. Compression wraps or compression bandages or compression stockings are used on the patient, depending on what they need.

I wear medical-grade compression stockings on my legs that were prescribed for me when I was going to Wound Care for my legs.

It's also important to find a balance between moving around, but also elevating your legs when you can, too.

For me, too much moving around can cause my legs to swell, but then you don't want to not move around either.

When you're resting, you want to keep your legs elevated to help with any swelling that may happen.

It's not an easy condition to deal with, but like with anything else, you do your best and ask your doctor for help when you need it.