A medical compression sleeve is an effective method of controlling lymphostasis after breast removal
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. To date, the only reliable treatment for this disease is surgical removal of the breast (mastectomy).
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However, after surgery, patients often develop lymphostasis of the upper limb, which causes the arm to swell and ache. Lymphatic stasis significantly worsens a woman's appearance and quality of life.
Why does lymphostasis occur?
Even after breast removal, there is still a risk of metastasis spreading to the body. To reduce the likelihood of a dangerous complication, surgeons remove not only the breast, but also the axillary lymph nodes. This leads to impaired lymphatic outflow and its retention in the tissues - lymphostasis.
Dense swelling of the arm that develops after mastectomy is called lymphedema. Without treatment, this pathology usually progresses and often leads to irreversible tissue changes
Dense swelling of the arm that develops after mastectomy is called lymphedema. Without treatment, this pathology usually progresses and often leads to irreversible tissue changes
How does lymphostasis of the upper extremity manifest itself?
Lymphostasis can occur at different intervals after mastectomy, even months or years later. It can be temporary (reversible) if it appears immediately after surgery and disappears quickly with the use of compression sleeves.
Sometimes lymph stasis in the arm occurs later - 1-1.5 months after the removal of the breast. Such lymphostasis surgeons call subacute. It is characterized by denser swelling and soreness of tissues, but when wearing compression sleeves can be achieved to restore the normal outflow of lymph.
If the swelling occurs 1.5-2 years after mastectomy, we are talking about chronic lymphedema. It is much more difficult to cope with it.
The main symptoms of lymphostasis:
Sometimes lymph stasis in the arm occurs later - 1-1.5 months after the removal of the breast. Such lymphostasis surgeons call subacute. It is characterized by denser swelling and soreness of tissues, but when wearing compression sleeves can be achieved to restore the normal outflow of lymph.
If the swelling occurs 1.5-2 years after mastectomy, we are talking about chronic lymphedema. It is much more difficult to cope with it.
The main symptoms of lymphostasis:
- swelling of the arm (at the beginning of the disease, it appears closer to the evening, and disappears in the morning) and painful sensations;
- redness and thickening of the skin;
- fibrotic changes in the skin, deformation of the hand (this stage of lymphedema is called elephantiasis).
How to treat lymphostasis?
There are various treatment options for this condition:
However, the most affordable, easy-to-use and effective method of preventing and treating hand lymphostasis remains wearing a medical compression sleeve.
- manual lymphatic drainage massage;
- massage of the limb, including variable pneumatic compression;
- special physical exercises for the hand.
However, the most affordable, easy-to-use and effective method of preventing and treating hand lymphostasis remains wearing a medical compression sleeve.
How does a medical compression sleeve work for lymphostasis?
The medical compression sleeve applies graduated compression (pressure 23-32 mmHg) to the soft tissues of the arm as well as the vessel walls. This accelerates venous blood flow towards the heart, and interstitial fluid (stagnation in soft tissues) returns back to the vascular bed.
With pronounced lymphostasis of the arm after breast removal, a medical compression sleeve with a glove is suitable: it will protect not only the shoulder and forearm, but also the hand from swelling. In addition, the glove provides additional, more secure fixation of the compression garment on the upper limb.
With pronounced lymphostasis of the arm after breast removal, a medical compression sleeve with a glove is suitable: it will protect not only the shoulder and forearm, but also the hand from swelling. In addition, the glove provides additional, more secure fixation of the compression garment on the upper limb.
How to choose the right medical compression sleeve with glove?
The compression sleeve must exert the necessary pressure on the tissues of the arm, but it must not pinch blood vessels and nerves or cause pain. It is important that it is held securely on the upper limb.
The Lauma Medical compression sleeve with glove consists of 60% nylon and 40% Lycra. It is available in four sizes (depending on the circumferences of the palm, wrist, forearm and upper arm at the axilla level).
The Lauma Medical compression sleeve with glove consists of 60% nylon and 40% Lycra. It is available in four sizes (depending on the circumferences of the palm, wrist, forearm and upper arm at the axilla level).
Medical compression sleeve with a glove after mastectomy is a reliable method of combating postoperative lymphostasis, comfort and discreetness to others, as well as the prevention of irreversible changes in the tissues of the hand
Medical compression sleeve with a glove after mastectomy is a reliable method of combating postoperative lymphostasis, comfort and discreetness to others, as well as the prevention of irreversible changes in the tissues of the hand