Lymphoedema Treatment

• Primary Lymphoedema

• Secondary Lymphoedema

  • Following removal of lymph nodes in cancer treatment- including for breast cancer, skin cancer including melanoma, gynaecological cancer and head and neck cancers. Treatment available for upper limb, lower limb and head and neck lymphoedema.

Treatment Options may include:

• Manual lymphatic drainage (therapist administered)

• Skin care

• Lymphoedema Monitoring and risk minimisation – including Bioimpedance Spectroscopy using the Impedimed SOZO

• Education and advice – to reduce your risk of lymphoedema or to improve your understanding of your condition and optimise your treatment outcomes.

• Individualised exercise programs

• Sequential Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Pump (SIPC)

• Compression bandaging

• Compression Garment prescription and supply

• Complex Decongestive Therapy – Intensive treatment which may include treatment components of skincare, manual lymphatic drainage, SIPC, Bandaging/ compression garment prescription, exercise prescription and self-management strategies

• Musculoskeletal physiotherapy - including joint and soft tissue mobilization using “hands- on” techniques

• Kinesiotaping

• Matrix Rhythm Therapy – using the” MaRhyThe device”, which uses micro-vibrations and micro- stretching of tissues within a normal physiological frequency to restore impaired cellular metabolism and microcirculation. It can be used in many applications including for pain, muscle tightness, fibrosis, lymphatic stimulation and cording.

• Self- management strategies and programs

This focus’s on recovery of shoulder and trunk mobility with the aim to strengthen and increase function

Treatment options may include:

• Musculo-skeletal techniques, manual therapy and exercises to restore shoulder and upper limb function.

• Scar management

• Breast oedema treatment

• Treatment of cording or axillary web syndrome

• Monitoring and treatment whist undergoing other therapy such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy

• Impedimed SOZO Bioimpedance Spectroscopy monitoring for lymphoedema (see information under SERVICES for further information)

• Education and risk minimization following removal of lymph nodes

• Provision of compression sleeves for those at high risk of developing lymphoedema

Musculoskeletal Treatment

This treatment is for Oncology patients recently diagnosed or still managing the side-effects of treatment

Treatment options may include:

• “Hands-on” manual therapy and musculo-skeletal techniques

• Individual exercise prescription

• Self-management strategies to help you to improve your mobility, function, confidence and quality of life

Chronic Oedema

Treatment for Chronic oedema due to venous disease

Treatment options may include:

• Some of the modalities listed under Lymphoedema treatment

• Skin care

• Compression garment prescription and supply

Lipoedema

 Treatment to assist in the support of the lymphatic system and secondary lymphoedema

Treatment options may include:

• Some of the modalities listed under Lymphoedema treatment

• Compression garment prescription and supply

• Exercise programs and strategies to improve mobiity, function and reduce pain

Impedimed SOZO (Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) Device)

 This involves monitoring of fluid in the limbs of people who have, or who are at risk of, Lymphoedema, using the Impedimed SOZO. Early detection and intervention reduces the severity and improves long term outcomes for patients who have had lymph nodes removed as part of their cancer treatment.

For more in-depth information read here:

The Impedimed SOZO is a Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) device which allows for the detection of small fluid changes in the limbs. The L-Dex reading is a measurement of fluid in the tissues of the affected or “at risk” limb compared to the unaffected limb. Measurement is non-invasive and quick. The Impedimed SOZO device sends a low level electrical signal through the body. The L-Dex score compares how easily the electrical signal moves through the unaffected and affected limbs. As lymphoedema develops the amount of fluid in the tissues increases making it easier for the signal to move through the extra-cellular fluid of the body. This is detected as a change in the L-Dex reading.

It is optimal to get a baseline L-Dex reading preoperatively or early postoperatively so that follow-up monitoring can detect changes and allow for early intervention, often before symptoms such as tightness, heaviness and obvious swelling are reported. L-Dex monitoring is one part of the Clinical assessment at Karen K Physiotherapy.

Other data that a SOZO reading includes:

• Total body water

• Extracellular Fluid

• Intracellular Fluid

• Fat -free mass

• Fat mass

• Skeletal muscle mass

• Basal metabolic rate

• Hy-Dex hydration analysis

• Body mass index

  These readings can be used to assist in the assessment of your overall health and to monitor interventions such as diet/nutrition and exercise programs.