Lymphedema Management Program
Improve your mobility and quality of life
Those with lymphedema know how frustrating it can be. The abnormal accumulation of fluids can cause swelling and discomfort in the legs, arms, head and neck. The Prisma Health Lymphedema Management Program is helping patients prevent and control lymphedema. Our certified therapists provide rehabilitation services designed to reduce inflammation, enhance flexibility and strength, and improve skin texture and wound healing. If you’ve received a lymphedema diagnosis, count on Prisma Health for a high level of care that can give you greater confidence and peace of mind. While not curable, lymphedema can be managed so you can enjoy your daily activities without worry or discomfort.
For more information, call:
Upstate: 864-455-1346
Midlands: 803-434-7750
What are the symptoms of Lymphedema?
Individuals who are at risk for lymphedema should watch for:
- A full or heavy sensation in an arm or leg
- An increase in size in an arm or a leg
- Clothes or jewelry do not fit well on one side
- Hardness/firmness in an arm or leg
- Skin feels tight
- Weeping from the skin
Complete decongestive therapy
Complete decongestive therapy is a comprehensive program that combines the following treatments for a holistic approach to treat lymphedema:
- Appropriate exercises to promote lymphatic drainage
- Education on appropriate skincare
- Manual lymphatic drainage to decrease swelling in an affected area
- Recommendations for compression garments
- Self manual lymphatic drainage
- Use of short stretch bandaging to decrease limb size, pitting, and fibrosis
Lymphedema Prevention Program
The Lymphedema Prevention Program assesses the early onset of lymphedema in patients with breast cancer or other cancers. Patients who have lymph node removal, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, and patients who will receive postoperative radiation therapy are at a higher risk for lymphedema.
Certified lymphedema therapists will evaluate your risk before surgery or radiation therapy. Once you are referred by your doctor, you will be seen for evaluation and education about lymphedema.
The Lymphedema Prevention Program is one component of our comprehensive cancer rehabilitation program which addresses breast cancer shoulder rehabilitation, strength, endurance and wellness training, cancer-related fatigue, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, osteoporosis, and weight management.
Breast Cancer Shoulder Program
Some breast cancer survivors report upper-body shoulder dysfunction, frozen shoulder or pain between six months and three years following breast cancer treatment. These symptoms occur more frequently in people who have invasive treatments such as axillary lymph node dissection, mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries.
The Breast Cancer Shoulder Program is designed to provide expert evaluation and treatment of these side effects. A personalized exercise program can improve other side effects such as cancer-related fatigue, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, osteoporosis and weight gain.
For more information, call:
Upstate: 864-455-7716 (Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital)
Midlands: 803-434-7750