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Lymphedema is swelling that can occur in the arm or leg and is most commonly caused by the removal of lymph nodes for cancer treatment. While there is no cure, lymphedema can be managed. Since late May, Young, 66, has been receiving treatments from Lynette Lombardo, an occupational and certified lymphedema therapist at Putnam Hospital Center.
“It’s definitely helped,” Young, of Hurley, N.Y., said. “I think it has brought my swelling down and I can use my arm and hand more.” When she started, Young’s right arm was 21 percent larger than her left arm. Now, it has decreased to about 14 percent, Lombardo said. “I’ve seen patients get pretty close to baseline — where they are not showing lymphedema,” Lombardo said. “It is a chronic condition but it can be managed.”
Young sees Lombardo five days a week and during the sessions she receives manual lymph drainage, similar to a massage, to circulate the lymphatic fluid causing the swelling. Lombardo then wraps Young’s arm in about five layers of bandaging, along with foam padding. “Compression wrapping is an art,” Lombardo said. “There are lots of alternatives but I believe compression wrapping is superior when done right.” Lombardo sees about five patients per day who have lymphedema and/or following breast surgery. She recommends patients receive an evaluation pre- and post- breast surgery and to practice risk-reduction strategies, including exercise, proper skin care and avoiding infections in the affected limb.
“This is a diagnosis where you have to do self-care at home,” she said. “I want my patients to feel better. I take it personally. I want them to have faith that they will get better.”
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