Greenville Decongestive Therapy

Lymphedema Treatment & Management Program

Lymphedema is a debilitating condition that causes swelling of a body part, most often in the arms or legs. It is the result of an accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the tissues, and once it has begun, it will continue to worsen if not treated. Approximately 50-70% of women who undergo treatment for breast cancer develop Lymphedema. While the use of diuretics to reduce swelling and post-surgical garments are sometimes used to retard the progression of the disease, none consistently prove to be completely effective.

Now there is an effective treatment that can substantially control the progression of Lymphedema.The Outpatient Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Center, a service of The Medical Center, offers a comprehensive therapy program called Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) that is changing the lives of patients who undergo its regimen.

How the therapy program works:

1. The first component of the CDT program is called Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), a gentle technique that increases the activity of the lymph vessels and manually moves built-up fluid to decrease swelling in the effected part of the body
2. The second component of the program is Compression Therapy. It involves the use of special short-stretch bandages to prevent the re-accumulation of lymph fluid
3. Finally, the last component of the CDT regimen stresses the importance of skin care. The skin in Lymphedema affected areas is very susceptible to infections

Contact Us for More Information

If you have experienced an injury, illness or surgery that is keeping you from carrying out your daily activities, the therapists at The Outpatient Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Center can help. Rehabilitation services may be scheduled after a patient is discharged from the hospital, or anytime the physician feels the patient would benefit from therapy.

To learn more about The Outpatient Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Center, contact your physician or call (662) 334-2021