Treatment:
Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP)

Various treatments for lymphedema exist, yet none are as effective and non-invasive as Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP). In almost all lymphedema cases, primary and secondary, CDP can successfully reduce and bring the lymphedema under control, relieving discomfort and restoring limb size.

Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy
consists of the following four steps:

1. Hygiene and Topical Skin Products
This phase of treatment, which includes applications of lanolin based, low PH lotions, eliminates bacterial and fungal growth and prevents further infection. Meticulous hygiene care, particularly of the skin and nails, with or without the use of antibiotics, is essential. Patients should take extra precautions with cleanliness and avoid unnecessary trauma to the affected areas.

2. Manual Lymph Drainage
Patients undergo a unique lymphatic massage technique. The massage empties and decompresses obstructed lymph vessels. THe repeated application of this therapy facilitates the unhindered flow of lymph fluid into the central circulation, where it really should be. This allows the limb to return to near normal size.

Manual Lymph Drainage was developed by Dr. Emil Vodder in Cannes, France, in the years 1932-1936. This European method is far superior mechanical pneumatic pumping, because it does not damage remaining lymphatic vessels or their delicate valves. It also does not empty excessive lymph fluid into the congested soft tissues of the adjacent areas. Instead, it decongests all lymphatic pathways from the swollen limb to nonaffected lymph channels in other parts of the body.

3. Bandaging and Compression
Bandaging of the limb follows each session of massage. The minimally elastic bandages used for this treatment compensate for the diminished tissue and skin pressure in lymphedema. This important part of therapy augments the diminished tissue pressure and prevents the affected limb from refilling with lymph. The increased pressure also helps avoid any new lymph production. The bandages are worn overnight until the next Manual Lymph Drainage session. At the end of the course of treatment, when the limb has returned to normal or close to normal, the patient is fitted with an elastic support garment. This garment maintains the treatment and prevents the reaccumulation of lymph.

4. Remedial Exercises and Elevation
Every patient is instructed to perform remedial exercises with the bandages in place. The exercises activate the muscles and joints in the affected areas, resulting in an increase in lymph flow and further reduction of the swollen limb over time.

Limb elevation is also extremely helpful for patients undergoing CDP. Elevation of the swollen limb ti just above heart level, particularly while the patient sleeps, increases the success of the treatments.