Lymphedema, chronic swelling of the arms, legs or other body parts is a condition that affects approximately 1 percent of Americans. Baptist Hospital East has a Lymphedema Clinic specifically designed for the treatment of these patients, the first Lymphedema Clinic in the Louisville area.

What causes lymphedema?
Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic vessels are compromised. This may occur following surgery for different types of cancer (for example, lymph node dissection or removal, breast, cervical, colon, prostate and melanoma); a traumatic injury; radiotherapy; or longstanding venous insufficiency.

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of lymphedema may vary greatly from person to person and depending on the part of the body affected. Some of them include:

• Swelling in the arm, chest, neck, back or leg that increases after activity or at the end of the day and does not go away by morning.
• Pain, numbness, tightness in or around the swollen area.
• Rash, blistering, redness or increased skin temperature in the arm or leg.
• Skin that feels harder or gets drier than usual.

How is it treated?
Lymphedema can be successfully managed using a combination of several treatment components. An experienced occupational or physical therapist works with patients and their physicians to determine the best plan of treatment. Treatment may include:

• Manual lymphatic drainage to soften the edema and move the fluid along lymphatic passageways.
• Bandages and compression garments to maintain the reduction in limb size and promote lymphatic drainage between treatments.
• Exercises to help the muscles pump the lymphatic fluid.
• Patient and family education.

Physician referral is required for the clinic, which is located in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department in the Baptist East Medical Pavilion (3900 Kresge Way) at Baptist East. Patients are seen by appointment only, Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (502) 897-8137.

Health Encyclopedia
For more information on lymphedema, visit our Health Encyclopedia to learn more about lymphatic obstruction.