Lymphedema
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What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is an abnormal collection of lymphatic fluid and swelling in the tissues just beneath the skin. It occurs most often in arms or legs, but it can appear in other areas as well, such as the head, neck, chest, and torso.
Lymphedema can be a genetic condition but typically is acquired and caused by infection, trauma or cancer treatment.
Lymphedema symptoms can cause:
- Swelling in your arms or legs caused by lymphatic fluid
- Changes in your skin quality
- Arm or leg tenderness or pain
- Redness of your arms or legs, known as cellulitis
- Excess fat in your arms or legs
Lymphedema is a lifelong condition that can be managed through therapy or treated surgically. At UR Medicine our skilled providers offer the latest treatments and care for lymphedema, including minimally invasive vascular surgery techniques.
UR Medicine's Treatments for Lymphedema
The UR Medicine lymphedema program includes experts available to help surgically treat lymphedema as well as to provide long-term care via Occupational Therapy.
Surgical Treatment for Lymphedema
Surgical treatment for lymphedema is provided by our expert team of UR Medicine vascular, plastic and reconstructive surgeons include:
- Lymphatic Bypass Procedures: surgery to connect your lymphatic vessels and drained them into your body's venous system
- Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer: surgery to harvest lymph nodes from one part of the body and surgically implant them in the affected area to rebuild
Lymphedema Therapy
Our Occupational Therapy lymphedema specialists offer a four-part system in caring for patients with this condition:
- Skin care
- Exercise
- Compression
- Phase 1 (reduction): The goal is to shrink the swelling. Short-stretch bandage wrapping (not an Ace wrap) and Velcro wraps are options at this stage. Phase 1 lasts as long as the size of the swollen area is shrinking and you can tolerate the wrapping.
- Phase 2 (containment): The goal is to keep you at your current size. We use a compression sleeve/stocking, or you may continue with a Velcro wrap. Use of a glove or gauntlet with a sleeve is common as well.
Manual lymphatic drainage (in the clinic and at home): This hands-on technique, which requires the first three phases, helps with the flow of the fluid.
What Sets Us Apart?
Our Lymphedema Program treats patients in multiple locations within the UR Medicine network, throughout Western New York and the finger Lake Region.
Our vascular, plastic and reconstructive surgeons are experts in their field and have the subspecialty training and skill to provide surgical options for treating lymphedema. With the only academic plastic surgery team in the Rochester area and our region, we’re uniquely skilled and experienced in treating some of the most complex cases.
Our occupational therapists, including Lymphedema Certified Providers, have undergone extensive post-graduate training in the care of lymphedema and are uniquely positioned to help. Our therapists can help decrease the swelling and educate patients in self-management, greatly reducing discomfort and increasing function.
Providers
Locations
We serve you in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region.
1 location
Clinton Crossings, Building D
4901 Lac De Ville Boulevard, Building D, Suite 250
Rochester, NY 14618