Lymphedema

How Does Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapy is helpful for restricted joint mobility and decreased muscle strength in the same areas, both before and during recovery from surgeries. A physiotherapist helps find solutions for discomfort caused by sedentary work and other musculoskeletal issues.

If possible, bring your test results with you. Exercises are easier to perform when wearing comfortable sportswear.

Overview

Lymphedema, also known as lymphatic swelling, is a condition in which excessive protein-rich fluid accumulates in the interstitial space due to dysfunction of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system, consisting of vessels, nodes, and organs, is part of the human immune system. Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic vessels cannot adequately drain lymph fluid from the tissues. It is classified as primary (congenital) or secondary (due to lymphatic system damage).

Symptoms

Swelling can occur anywhere in the body. It most commonly affects the upper or lower limbs but can also appear in other areas such as the torso, head, face, neck, or genital region.

Before the swelling develops, a person may experience a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the affected area.
Compared to the healthy side of the body, it is difficult or impossible to lift a skin fold in the swollen region.
Once the swelling is established, the skin feels tight. Pressing the skin with a finger may leave a pit (pitting edema).

Symptoms and signs of lymphedema can range from mild to severe. In patients with oncological conditions, lymphedema may develop months or even years after cancer treatment.

Causes

Lymphedema can be caused by underdevelopment or malformation of lymphatic vessels, trauma (such as bone fractures or joint sprains), surgeries, erysipelas, varicose veins, malignant processes, pressure on the lymphatic system during pregnancy, chronic venous disease, and overload.

In the case of cancer, lymphedema mainly arises from damage to the lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes, caused by the tumor process itself, removal of lymph nodes, radiation therapy, or postoperative scarring.

Complications

Advanced lymphedema can lead to skin changes (dryness, ulcers, etc.), skin infections, risk of sepsis, and limitations in joint mobility.

Treatment Options

Lymphatic therapy is a comprehensive treatment that may consist of various combined methods.

These include:

Manual lymphatic drainage, also known as lymphatic massage
Compression bandaging
Mechanical lymphatic massage, also called pneumatic massage
Exercises combined with bandaging
Wearing compression garments
Scar treatment
Counseling
Nutrition
Self-care

Before starting therapy, it is important to determine the cause of the swelling. For example, swelling caused by heart failure cannot be treated with lymphatic therapy.

Prevention

Early initiation of lymphatic therapy can help prevent the progression of lymphedema and maintain a person’s daily quality of life

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/symptoms-causes/syc-20374682

H.Wittlinger et al. Dr. Vodder´s Manual Lymph Drainage. Thieme, 2nd ed, 2019.

Clients

Feedback

“On olnud vägagi tõhusad füsioteraapiaseansid. Edasiviiv arutelu ja palju soovitusi harrastussportlase targemaks vigastustevabaks treenimiseks!”

“Katrel on põhjalikud teadmised jooksuvigastustest. Minu vigastust ja selle teket analüüsides, sain häid soovitusi nii varustuse vahetamiseks, taastavateks harjutusteks, kui ka jooksutrenni järgseteks harjutusteks, mis on taganud selle, et asfaldil ka pikamaid distantse joostes (sh võisteldes), pole valu enam tagasi tulnud.”

Olen käinud seal alates aastast 2021 ja vastuvõtt on alati meeldiv olnud. Kohtasin seal enda lemmikut füsioterapeuti Anastassia Šipilovat, kelle käed teevad (ja aju) imesid. Olgu mure tingitud ülekoormusest, vigastusest või lihtsalt ennetamine, she knows the magic.✨✨ Peale õlaoperatsiooni pani ta mu käe jälle liikuma ja olen tagasi ratta seljas. 🙂 Soovitan Füsioteraapia Kliinikut väga!

“Katre on väga suurte teadmistega ning füsioterapeudina äärmiselt toetav ja põhjalik. Mulle meeldib tema suhtumine, et sporditraumadest on võimalik taastuda ning saab ja tulebki sportimisega jätkata. Lisaks traumade füüsikalistele põhjustele “kontrollib” ta alati üle ka muud baasteemad – une, koormuse, taastumise, toitumise.”

Kõik väga meeldis alustades sisse tulemisest personaal oli väga lahke ja vastutulev. Mina isiklikult käisin Anastassia Šipilova juures millega jäin väga rahule, on näha, et Anastassia läheneb väga individuaalselt ja on enda ala proff.

Käisin visiidil nädala kestnud põlvevaluga. Katre tegi kohe põhjaliku ülevaatuse (testis mobiilsust ja potentsiaalseid vigastusi) ning diagnoosis potentsiaalse probleemi. Edasi tegime erinevaid harjutusi ja määrasime paika raviplaani. Harjutused filmis ta ka üles, et oleks hiljem hea järele vaadata ning saatis mulle koheselt ka videod. Lõpetuseks kinesioteipis ta põlve (lisaks juhendas, kuidas saan seda tulevikus ise teha) ja andis kaasa ka treeningupaela harjutuste tegemiseks. Väga põhjalik, professionaalne ja meeldiv kogemus!

Põlve meniskioperatsioonist taastumine füsioterapeudi Anastassia juures oli väga efektiivne, süstemaatiline, stressivaba ja viis stabiilse eduni. Anastassia optimism, teadmised ja isiksuseomadused ei anna edasi mitte ainult usku, et taastumine on täielik ja ilma jääkpiiranguteta, vaid ka tunnet, et see nii ongi. Soovitan Anastassia juurde kindlasti pöörduda, kui teil on vaja taastuda operatsioonist, vigastusest või lihtsalt nõu saamiseks, püüdes vältida negatiivseid muutusi igapäevaelus või sportides.

About Us

Füsioteraapia Kliinik OÜ is a company established in 2011, whose specialists are recognised Estonian sports physiotherapists.

The clinic’s specialists help find solutions to various musculoskeletal system problems, whether it’s pain limiting daily activities or sports, decreased muscle performance, restricted joint mobility, or other issues.

In practice, the most common reasons for consulting a physiotherapist are muscle tension, pain in the lower back and neck area, as well as painful shoulder and knee joints.