At Southside Rehabilitation Services Colonial Heights, we examine and offer specialized treatment for the management of lymphedema. Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid due to an insufficiency of the lymphatic system. It can be caused by either a birth deformity of the lymphatic system or a deficiency of the lymphatic system due to the following:
- Tumor
- Surgery
- Radiation involving the lymphatic system
- Infection
- Chronic venous insufficiencies
Initial symptoms may include swelling of a limb that can be temporarily reduced by elevation. Without treatment this swelling causes a progressive hardening of the affected tissues of that limb. There is no known cure, but lymphedema can be managed with Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). CDT is composed of manual lymph drainage, compression therapy, therapeutic exercise, and skin care.
Click here for more information on Upper & Lower Extremity Lymphedema.