How is lymphedema treated?

Lymphedema cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Early intervention has been shown to be effective and important.⁶

• Massage and Manual Lymphatic Draining (MLD): This is intensive massage based on creating spaces in the tissues and then massaging fluid into these spaces and away form the limb. Therapy may need to continue for some weeks until the decrease in swelling is satisfactory.

• Compression hosiery: Compression hosiery is crucial to maintaining the benefits produced from massage. Graduated high compression hosiery will prevent swelling reaccumulating once it has been reduced by massage.

• Bandaging: Bandaging is frequently used with swelling is severe. A combination of
bandaging and massage can reduce limb size and then compression hosiery is applied.

• Skin care and control of infection: It is important to keep the skin in good condition.
Regular hygiene and moisturizing are essential. It is important to take a minor wound seriously and not allow it to become a more severe problem.

6. Gergich, et al, Preoperative Assessment Enables the Early Diagnosis and Successful Treatment of Lymphedema, Cancer , Vol 112, Issue 12, pp 2809-2819.