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DonateSpotlight on Lymphoedema Care
Compton is proud to be at the forefront of lymphoedema care and education.
Lymphoedema is a condition that occurs when there is damage to the body’s lymphatic system, resulting in large, and sometimes uncomfortable swelling. It can affect any part of the body but is usually found in the arms or legs. The British Lymphology Society estimates that almost 450,000 people in the UK have lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema can be described as primary or secondary:
- Primary lymphoedema: usually determined from birth and arises due to the underdevelopment or failure of the lymphatic system
- Secondary lymphoedema: where lymphatic failure is a result of damage to an otherwise normal lymphatic system, e.g., due to surgery, radiotherapy, infection (such as cellulitis), reduced mobility, trauma, obesity, problems with veins not working very well or cancer
While lymphoedema is not usually painful, the swelling can be extremely uncomfortable and can affect mobility, self-confidence and a person’s quality of life. Swelling can appear anywhere on the body but is most commonly found in the legs or arms and can bring with it side effects such as skin infections, a feeling of heaviness, and uncomfortable folds developing in the skin.
Compton Lymphoedema Care is responsible for providing assessment, advice, support and, if required, treatment, empowering lymphoedema and lipoedema patients to take control, and manage their condition. Our team of staff are all highly skilled not only in lymphoedema management but also in how to give emotional and practical support to patients. Support and treatments are delivered from our nurse led outpatients clinics, Monday- Friday.
Between April – June 2024, 635 support sessions were conducted.
Treatments
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage: is a form of massage which focuses on the lymphatic system and moving fluid out of the bodies tissues towards working lymph nodes, which will filter and drain it back into the blood stream
- Compression Therapy: After Manual Lymphatic Drainage, compression therapy and compression hosiery helps the treated area not swell again
- Exercise, wellbeing and self-management : the team will advise patients on how they can support themselves with advise on exercise, skin care and awareness of their condition
Equipment
We use specialist equipment in the treatment of lymphoedema and lipoedema. This is not an exhaustive list of the equipment the team use, but some example include:
- A lymphscanner is a hand-held piece of equipment which is a non-invasive all-in-one measuring tool. It measures the percentage water content in the skin and can be used to do regional assessments and detect the difference between lymphoedema and lipoedema. This information can help our team make clinical decisions about what course of treatment is best for the individual patient
- The Physiotouch machine helps to breakdown scar tissues and when used with Manual Lymphatic Drainage reduces the tissue thickening. The machine works through suction
- An Ankle Brachial Pressure Index Measuring Device is a non-invasive way of detecting Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). PAD is caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries which restricts blood supply to leg muscles. Symptoms can present as similar to a lymphoedema diagnosis. By measuring a patient’s brachial pressure index, it gives us a good idea of what is happening in the cardiovascular system and which patients are at risk of coronary heart disease and so need referring onwards to the correct healthcare providers and which patients simply need lymphoedema treatment
Self-care
How can Lymphoedema be managed at home:
- Keep moving: Movement doesn’t need to be strenuous, but the lymphatic system depends on movement to keep the vessels from collapsing. This can include chair exercises or housework. Just keep moving!
- Healthy weight and diet: Extra weight can put a burden on the lymphatic system by restricting the flow of lymph from around the limbs. It can also make it harder to be active
- Look after your skin:
- Use a daily non perfumed moisturiser to keep skin supple
- Use suncream to protect from sunburn
- Avoid walking barefoot, to reduce the risk of scratches or puncture wounds
- Clean any cuts with antiseptic
- Use non perfumed and mild soap/shower gel to wash with
Lymphoedema and lipoedema are not usually a life limiting illness as a primary condition; patients for this service may not be known to other Compton services. If you have lymphoedema or symptoms like lymphoedema and would like to know more about treating this condition, then get in touch through our 24/7 Advice and Referral Line on 01902 774570.