Your Symptom: Swollen Arm or Leg
If you have developed swelling in an arm or leg after injury or surgery where your lymph nodes have been disturbed, the following may suggest early symptoms of lymphoedema:
- the limb feels different
- the limb feels heavy
- the limb feels mildly painful
- the limb may have varied temperature
How Fiveways Physiotherapy can help you:
When you see a physiot
herapist
at Fiveways Physiotherapy the first priority will be to
assess your limb to determine whether you are
experiencing early changes which may progress to
lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema may take years to develop and is not the
same as the swelling and pain that follows immediately
after surgery or radiotherapy.
There is no complete cure for lymphoedema but Fiveways
Physiotherapy can help you manage the condition and
improve your comfort with a combination of
- Manual therapy to reduce swelling
- Laser therapy to reduce swelling
- The Lympha Press IPC (intermittent pneumatic
compression) device which stimulates lymphatic
drainage and assists in reducing/easing lymphatic
swelling
- Kinesio- or punch taping, to aid drainage
- Garment measuring and ordering if appropriate
- Electrotherapy
- Specific exercises
- Advice regarding elevation of the limb
- Skin care
- Infection prevention measures
How to book an appointment