WHAT IS TYPES AND CAUSES OF LYMPHEDEMA WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? WHAT IS THE TREATMENT Primary/Congenital – the person was simply Signs and symptoms include: FOR LYMPHEDEMA? LYMPHEDEMA? “born” with the condition or can develop it in later • Swelling life with no obvious cause. • Pain Since there is no cure for lymphedema, the goal of • Weakness treatment is to reduce your swelling and maintain Swelling can occur when you sprain Secondary – caused by surgery (mastectomy, • Skin tightness the reduction. This can be achieved with safe, non- your ankle, get a bug bite, break • Loss of flexibility breast-sparing surgery, lymph node removal, invasive and reliable measures that can provide long- your wrist or get a bump • Tighter clothing prostatectomy, hysterectomy or amputations), term results. Treatment includes: or a bruise. This swelling radiation, trauma, infection, cancer and severe • A feeling of heaviness or achiness is normal. In these cases, • Hardening/thickening of the skin venous insufficiency. Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD): A gentle, your lymphatic system If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor non-invasive manual technique that stimulates the has to work extra hard to WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO GET right away. superficial lymphatic system and enhances lymph LYMPHEDEMA? remove extra waste, but drainage to healthier lymphatic areas in the body. the swelling will eventually Anyone who has had damage or trauma occur LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT OPTIONS Lymphedema therapy is intensive and is often decrease and go away. to a part of their lymphatic system can develop Multi-Layered Compression Bandaging: Used to done 5 days/week, although each case is different. lymphedema. Lymphedema may not develop right facilitate and maintain the effects of MLD. Bandaging There is also an expectation that the patient and/ Lymphedema is different. away. Sometimes it can take months or years to can also assist with softening of the skin. develop. or caregivers will be able to learn the skin care, When you have exercise, and self-wrapping techniques to carry Therapeutic Exercises: lymphedema, your through at home. In conjunction with lymph system is not Lymphedema is seen frequently in cancer patients bandages/garments, therapeutic exercise facilitates who have had lymph nodes removed or have had able to work as hard the body’s muscle pump action to move lymph fluid. trauma to their lymph nodes because of radiation If you think you can benefit from lymphedema as it used to because treatment. Patients who have undergone surgeries therapy you should: it has been damaged • Contact your physician Meticulous Skin Care: To prevent infection, that require the removal of lymph nodes should cellulitis and dermatological changes. in some way. This always be on the alert for the symptoms of • Confirm the diagnosis of lymphedema means that your lymph system • Have your physician refer you to our lymphedema. Education: So the patient can manage his or her is unable to remove extra waste rehabilitation program for lymphedema management lifelong condition, which includes information on efficiently, so swelling will not Patients who have been diagnosed with these precautions and restrictions for selfcare. conditions can benefit from a treatment program: decrease. BENEFITS OF LYMPHEDEMA THERAPY • Rheumatoid arthritis Patients who have received therapy for lymphedema • Hodgkin’s Disease When it is diagnosed early, have reported some of the following benefits as a • Reduced circulation efforts to resolve lymphedema result of treatment: • Parasite infections with treatment are much more • Reduction of swelling, pain and discomfort • Sports-related injuries successful. • Improved skin color/texture • Migraine headaches • Reduced risk of infection/cellulitis • Venous insufficiency • Improved motion and ability to perform daily • Swelling of the face & neck activities • Fibromyalgia • Increased relaxation/stress relief • Total joint replacement surgery LYMPHEDEMA LYMPHEDEMA ISN’T THE MANAGEMENT STAFF LYMPHEDEMA END OF A NORMAL LIFE. Penn Highlands Clearfield of Penn Highlands Healthcare MANAGEMENT WE CAN HELP YOU TAKE Occupational Therapy LOCATIONS SERVCIES CONTROL. Nicole McMillen, OTR/L, CLT 814-768-2285 PENN HIGHLANDS BROOKVILLE Penn Highlands Healthcare offers a 88 Industrial Park | Brookville LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT Penn Highlands DuBois 814-849-6878 Penn Highlands Healthcare SERVICE through its Occupational Occupational Therapy Therapy Departments. Occupational Dana Milliron, OTR/L, CLT BROOKVILLE | NEW BETHLEHEM therapists will work with lymphedema Kelli Johnson, OTR/L, CLT patients to give them the care and Melissa Wilkinson, OTR/L, CLT PENN HIGHLANDS CLEARFIELD education that they need to manage this 814-375-3046 809 Turnpike Avenue | Clearfield condition, which involves chronic swelling Holly Kramer, MS, OTR/L, CLT 814-768-2285 in a body part. Merrilee Anto, COTA/L, CLT CLEARFIELD - 2 LOCATIONS 814-375-3020 This service focuses on educating a patient PENN HIGHLANDS DUBOIS who has developed chronic swelling, Penn Highlands Elk 100 Hospital Avenue | DuBois known as lymphedema, so that they are Occupational Therapy 814-375-3372 able to manage their condition. Treatment Kerri M.Coudriet, OTR/L, CLT DUBOIS | BROCKWAY | FORCE for lymphedema at Penn Highlands is non- 814-788-8490 CURWENSVILLE | REYNOLDSVILLE surgical. FOR MORE INFORMATION PENN HIGHLANDS ELK Although most of the services are offered My Lymphedema 757 Johnsonburg Road | St. Marys on an outpatient basis, the program does www.mylymphedema.com offer inpatient and home health services as 814-788-8490 well. National Lymphedema Network ST. MARYS | JOHNSONBURG | RIDGWAY www.lymphnet.org EMPORIUM | KANE | KERSEY 1-800-541-3259

Lymphedema Awareness Foundation www.phhealthcare.org www.eLymphNotes.org 407-324-3255 July 2017 of Penn Highlands Healthcare