> Main News Page

FMH THERAPY NOW OFFERING LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT - 2010-05-20

Fairfield Memorial Hospital continues to expand its therapy services department by offering vital services to the local community.  The newest therapy service that has been added is lymphedema management for the upper and lower extremities.  Mavis Aslinger, Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s Occupational Therapist recently went to an educational training seminar on Lymphedema Management of Upper and Lower Extremities in St. Louis. She was trained on a variety of techniques including manual lymphatic drainage massage sequence, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise, and patient self care education. After attending this seminar, Mavis was able to provide training to the rest of the therapy services professionals on the proper techniques of this service.  Therefore, multiple members of the therapy services team will be available to consult on this new service, which will be offered through outpatient, skilled care unit, long-term care, and home health settings.  Physician referrals will be required. 

For those unfamiliar with lymphedema, it is the abnormal accumulation of fluid within body tissue.  Lymphedema may develop when the lymph vessels and or nodes have been damaged or removed.  Lymphedema can occur in any body part.  Some common early symptoms include: Tightness, swelling, or thickening anywhere in the extremity.  Initially the swelling may fluctuate, but over time it worsens.  A burning sensation or tingling sensation radiating down the extremity.  Complaints of heaviness or aching of the extremity.  Inability to wear rings, jewelry, watches or clothing secondary to edema. 

There are two types of lymphedema, primary and secondary.  Primary lymphedema is hereditary and secondary lymphedema can result from surgical removal of lymph nodes, damage to vessels, scarring across vessels, radiation therapy, tumor growth, blockage of lymph nodes, Lipedema, infection, inflammation, trauma, obesity, sedentary life style, filariasis and or chronic venous insufficiency.  It can also be caused by any condition which decreases the transport capacity of the lymphatic system or the reabsorption of tissue fluid into the lymphatic vessels.  Secondary lymphedema can occur any time postoperatively or may not appear for month or years later.

The most common time you hear about lymphedema is associated with breast cancer intervention.  As many as 30% of women who have breast cancer intervention today may develop lymphedema, and this is why Fairfield Memorial Hospital felt it was so needed. 

“Early referral and intervention is the key to success in lymphedema management,” stated Mavis Aslinger, Occupational Therapist at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

When a patient arrives for therapy they will be evaluated and an examination will be performed to establish a base-line.  One of the goals of therapy will be to educate the patient on the diagnosis and how to manage the lymphedema.  As the patient progresses through therapy, they will acquire information throughout each session to assist with the overall management of lymphedema.  A variety of treatments will be performed, which may include massage, bandaging, therapeutic exercises, garments, and skin care.  The therapist will most likely provide the patient with “homework”.  The patient’s self care program is just as important as the therapy session and it will assist in maintaining the progress made in therapy.  The goal is to educate the patient to a level where one can manage lymphedema on their own, but know that Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s staff and your providers are always there to help with questions and problems as you return home.

“We are here to help our community members in managing this condition, which will vary from person to person.  Treatment programs and home maintenance programs will vary depending upon many factors, and your therapist will take into consideration your own personal needs, family and work situations, and your responsibilities and medical needs,” stated Jennifer Bowers, PTA, FMH Therapy Services Director.

For more information about the lymphedema management services, contact Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s Therapy Services at 618-847-8256. 

Pictured is Mavis Aslinger, Occupational Therapist at Fairfield Memorial Hospital bandaging a lymphedema patient.