Conservative Therapy for Lymphedema

Abstract

In most cases, lymphedema develops after surgery for breast cancer, uterine cancer and other cancers, and manifests as swelling of the upper or lower limbs. Conservative therapy for peripheral lymphedema is known as a complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP), which involves a two-stage treatment program. The first phase consists of manual lymph drainage, range of motion exercise, skin care and compression typically applied with mufti-layered bandage wrapping. CDP is performed exclusively on an inpatient basis in specialized hospitals. The second phase aims to conserve and optimize the results obtained in Phase 1. This phase consists of compression by a low-stretch elastic stocking or sleeve, skin care, exercise and repeated self-induced lymph drainage as needed. These medical treatments can produce sufficient effects even if performed on an outpatient basis.
Conservative therapy is extremely effective in reducing the circumference below the knee or elbow. A surgical procedure may be indicated when there is inadequate response to conservative therapy.