Clinical Prevention Measures

 

 

The following are elective clinical measures that can be taken towards the prevention of Lymphedema:

 

• Risk consultation and evaluation to ascertain how individual case history, medical history and cancer treatment history will influence the risk for acquiring Lymphedema; patients with established Lymphedema will also benefit;

 

• Pre and postoperative circumferential limb girth measurements;

 

• Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (L-Dex), a non-invasive technology used to assess tissue fluid retention in the upper extremity; the first screening should ideally be done preoperatively;

 

• Compression garments worn at certain times of compromise to prevent tissue fluid accumulation.

 

• Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), a light massage-like technique, which moves tissue fluid from congested to non-congested areas.

 

• Therapeutic exercises to safely enhance lymphatic circulation.

 

 

An improperly fit compression garment could cause compromise rather than benefit, as shown below.