LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT
The reduction phase The reduction phase is also known as the intensive decongestive treatment. Its goal is to achieve maximum reduction of the edema to come as close as possible to the volume of the opposite healthy limb. The main treatments used are: • Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), carried out by a specifically trained physiotherapist, to stimulate and facilitate the circulation of the lymph by promoting the unblocking of the lymph nodes. • Reducing and draining bandages requiring the use of multi-component bandages which can be adapted to the volume and repositioned at will. • Coached physical activity under bandages to improve lymph circulation, regain mobility and flexibility. • Skin care to prevent complications related to lymph accumulation. This phase may vary from one to several weeks, depending on the severity of the lymphedema, and can be renewed later.
(1) HAS – Dispositifs de compression médicale à usage individuel – Utilisation en pathologies vasculaires – Sept 2010 – Page 14 (2) Quéré – Prospective multicenter observational study of lymphedema therapy: POLIT study – Journal des maladies vasculaires 39 (256-263) – 2014 – Page 4
