Lymphedema is a common occurrence in people who have experienced trauma or undergone a major surgery. The lymph nodes act as tunnels. When there is damage to one or more of the nodes, the nodes can’t drain the liquid around them. So by the time the swelling becomes obvious, there is a significant amount of fluid in the arm or leg.
Although there is no cure for lymphedema it is possible to control it through therapy. Treating lymphedema focuses on rerouting the fluid to other areas of the body through massage and opening up other pathways. Patients learn compression bandaging so fluid doesn’t back flow, exercises to do at home, nutrition, and skin and nail care to avoid infection.
