Use of low-stretch elastic bandages for lymphedema
Lymphedema is a disease in which the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels is impaired. It occurs for various reasons and can occur in both elderly and young patients, and sometimes in children.
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This disease severely limits a person's physical and social activity, but comprehensive treatment helps to reduce symptoms and return to a normal lifestyle.
Why does lymphedema occur?
In addition to arteries and veins, the body has lymphatic vessels through which a special fluid - lymph - moves. Its main function is to participate in metabolism and detoxification of the body, it also contains special blood cells - lymphocytes, which protect the body from infections.
In congenital anomalies of lymphatic vessels, the flow of lymph from tissues to large veins is disturbed, which leads to fluid accumulation and stagnation - lymphostasis. It can also occur after surgical intervention - for example, for breast cancer, if the lymph nodes were removed.
Other causes of lymphedema are:
In congenital anomalies of lymphatic vessels, the flow of lymph from tissues to large veins is disturbed, which leads to fluid accumulation and stagnation - lymphostasis. It can also occur after surgical intervention - for example, for breast cancer, if the lymph nodes were removed.
Other causes of lymphedema are:
- Trauma;
- burns;
- radiation;
- Chronic infections (e.g., rheumatoid inflammation).
How does lymphedema manifest itself?
Lymphedema is difficult to miss, as its main symptom is swelling. It can be insignificant in the early stages of the disease and very pronounced in advanced lymphostasis.
Also patients with lymphedema complain of:
Also patients with lymphedema complain of:
- pain in the arm or leg;
- a feeling of heaviness, bloating;
- weakness and limited mobility.
If the disease is not treated, lymphostasis progresses, trophic changes of the skin appear - dryness, coarsening, cracks and trophic ulcers. With neglected lymphedema very often joins streptococcal infection and develops a rusty inflammation, which in turn leads to obliteration (contraction) of preserved lymphatic vessels. The rheumatous inflammation can turn into a spilt purulent inflammation - phlegmon of the limb
If the disease is not treated, lymphostasis progresses, trophic changes of the skin appear - dryness, coarsening, cracks and trophic ulcers. With neglected lymphedema very often joins streptococcal infection and develops a rusty inflammation, which in turn leads to obliteration (contraction) of preserved lymphatic vessels. The rheumatous inflammation can turn into a spilt purulent inflammation - phlegmon of the limb
How to treat lymphedema?
Treatment of lymphedema is usually complex, lengthy and often expensive. Drug therapy (e.g., anti-edema drugs) is ineffective.
The main methods of conservative treatment:
The main methods of conservative treatment:
- compression bandaging (applying a medical elastic bandage);
- manual lymph drainage;
- pneumocompression with the help of special devices;
- therapeutic exercise and skin care.
Features of bandaging in lymphedema
A low-stretch elastic bandage is usually used for lymphedema. Its main feature is to create the necessary compression. It increases with physical activity, but remains low at rest.
The main therapeutic effects of a low-stretch bandage are:
The main therapeutic effects of a low-stretch bandage are:
- reduction of tissue fluid production;
- stimulation of smooth muscles of lymphatic vessels, strengthening their work;
- improvement of lymphatic outflow;
- “softening” dense edema due to pressure on the tissue;
- prevention of trophic changes in the skin.
Effectiveness of compression bandaging
Since lymphedema treatment includes different therapy options, studies have been repeatedly conducted to compare the effectiveness of the most popular methods. The main criteria were considered to be the elimination of edema of the affected limb (reduction of its volume and circumference), cost and accessibility of treatment for the patient.
A study conducted at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (2016-2017) compared the effectiveness of multilayer compression bandaging and complex anti-edema therapy (manual drainage, exercise). According to the results, the effectiveness of both methods was comparable, but the use of a low-stretch elastic bandage maximally reduced the circumference of the affected limb. In addition, multilayer bandaging was not time-consuming for patients and did not require significant financial expenditures.
Today, low-stretch medical elastic bandages remain one of the most effective and affordable options for the treatment of lymphedema, regardless of its cause.
A study conducted at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (2016-2017) compared the effectiveness of multilayer compression bandaging and complex anti-edema therapy (manual drainage, exercise). According to the results, the effectiveness of both methods was comparable, but the use of a low-stretch elastic bandage maximally reduced the circumference of the affected limb. In addition, multilayer bandaging was not time-consuming for patients and did not require significant financial expenditures.
Today, low-stretch medical elastic bandages remain one of the most effective and affordable options for the treatment of lymphedema, regardless of its cause.