title: Management of lymphedema.
abstract: The basic principle of the management of lymphedema is so called complex decongestive physical therapy. This therapy is divided into two phases: (i) edema reduction phase--an initial intensive treatment phase aiming for limb volume reduction; and (ii) maintenance phase--following long-term phase to sustain a manageable limb volume. The first phase consists of a number of physical therapeutic approaches which are: manual lymph drainage, pneumatic pump drainage, low-stretch bandaging, exercises, and skin care. Long-term maintenance phase consists of self-lymph drainage, low-stretch bandaging, or compressive garments, and sometimes when indicated pneumatic pump drainage, exercises, and skin care.
authors.affiliation: Dermatovenereology Department, Charles University 2nd Medical School and Bulovka Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. nadavojackova@seznam.cz
authors.forename: Naděžda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vojáčková
authors.forename: Jorga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fialová
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hercogová
mesh_terms: D058128:Compression Bandages; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008405:Massage; D011788:Quality of Life; D063465:Skin Cream