Lymphedema management: Expert advice for reducing swelling

Lymphedema affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for lymphedema, but there are some ways to manage symptoms.  

What is lymphedema? 

Lymphedema is the chronic swelling of a body part, usually an arm or a leg, caused by the buildup of lymph fluid just under the skin. It can also occur after certain cancer treatments, like when the lymph nodes are removed during breast cancer surgery. 

“Even though there’s no cure, we’ve made a lot of advancements in managing the condition,” says Dr. Chad Jacobs, a vascular surgeon at Advocate Health Care. “We can even do some surgical mapping before cancer surgeries so we’re less likely to damage the lymph nodes and disrupt the lymph system.” 

What are the main symptoms of lymphedema? 

• Limb swelling 
• Limb tightness 
• Leathery looking skin 
• Limited limb mobility 

How is lymphedema treated? 

The most common treatment for lymphedema is complete decongestive therapy (CDT). While intensive, this treatment can help control the symptoms of this condition. 

The main components to CDT are: 

• Compression wraps and bandages: Low-stretch wraps and bandages are wrapped around swollen arms and legs, helping to reduce swelling and encourage lymph fluid to flow out. 
• Skin care: Includes keeping skin and nails moisturized and clean, as well as cleaning small cuts to prevent infections. 
• Exercise: Exercising helps improve lymph flow, minimize symptoms and reduce swelling. This can include strength training and specific repetitive motions while wearing compression bandages. 
• Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD): A special kind of massage therapy that uses gentle pressure to push the fluid out of the swollen parts of the body. The technique stimulates the lymphatic system to improve its ability to absorb and transport fluids. 
• Self-care: Maintaining a healthy weight, prioritizing a healthy diet, protecting yourself from injuries and not smoking can help keep your symptoms and flare-ups in check. 

“CDT is our first option for treating lymphedema,” says Dr. Jacobs. “If the condition worsens, we’ll explore other options like intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), which is a type of compression therapy, or surgery.” 

If you notice any changes in your limbs, talk to your doctor immediately to determine next steps. 

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