Mercy Therapy Services - Coletta

Lymphedema Services

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is the buildup of lymph, a fluid your body makes, which happens when lymph vessels or nodes that the fluid travels through are missing, damaged, or removed.

Types of Lymphedema

• Primary Lymphedema:  Happens when certain lymph vessels/nodes are missing or faulty at birth
  
  
• Secondary Lymphedema:  Happens when a blockage or another problem changes the flow of lymph fluid through the body's network of lymph vessels and nodes. It can develop not only after cancer surgeries, which remove lymph nodes, but can also come from an infection, scar tissue formation, trauma, deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein), radiation, or other cancer treatments.

Our certified lymphedema therapists perform light skin stretch to move the fluid to new channels. Compression garments are incorporated to maintain therapy gains. The patient and/or caregiver is educated in lymphatic techniques, skincare, exercise, lifestyle changes and proper use of compression.

What is Lipedema?

Lipedema, also known as “painful fat disorder", is a chronic disease characterized by symmetrical fatty tissue excess in the hips and legs, combined with a tendency for leg swelling that worsens when standing. It is often misdiagnosed as obesity and may be due to genetic, metabolic, inflammatory or hormonal factors.

Stages of Lipedema:

• Stage 1:  skin is smooth; swelling increases during the day and may resolve with rest and elevation
  
  
• Stage 2:  skin has indentations; eczema; swelling does not resolve as much with rest or elevation
  
  
• Stage 3:  hardened tissue; masses of skin and fat that overhang; swelling consistently present
  
  
• Stage 4:  limb deformation; larger masses of skin and fat that overhang; swelling consistently present

Our specially trained lipedema therapists softly stroke the skin in the direction that follows the body’s lymphatic system, thus moving fluid out of the fatty tissues and reducing pain. The patient is educated on the correct use of compression garments, good skin care, exercise, nutrition guidelines and emotional support resources.