Lymphostasis is pathological condition, characterized by stubborn swelling. It appears when the outflow of lymph (tissue fluid) stagnates. One of the most common reasons pathologies are surgical operations. There are several stages of the disease, all of which have certain characteristics.
Lymphostasis may appear after irradiation with cancerous tumors mammary gland, after surgery, when damage occurred lymphatic system, in the presence of benign and malignant tumors of the lymphatic system.
Lymphostasis of the arm that occurred after removal of the mammary gland
This operation is called a mastectomy. It is performed in the presence of a malignant tumor in the breast (breast cancer).
During surgery, lymph nodes under the arm may be removed, which will lead to lymphostasis. A similar situation appears during irradiation.
Persistent and severe swelling of the limb occurs as a result of disturbances in the outflow of lymph (damage to the drainage and the lymph nodes themselves).
When the swelling subsides a few months after surgery, it means that postmastectomy lymphostasis has occurred. In the opposite case, they talk about lymphedema.
This pathology does not appear in all women who have undergone breast removal, but if it occurs, it can remain for life.
The danger of this violation lies in the fact that hand deformation may occur. In addition, this condition is often accompanied by inflammatory processes. Lymphosis causes both physical and psychological discomfort.
If lymphostasis appeared in the first year after surgery, then it is perfectly treatable. As usual, the swelling is mild, but causes aching, bursting pain. Timely treatment of lymphostasis will allow you to quickly get rid of discomfort.
Why does lymphostasis occur after breast removal?
A mastectomy involves removing not only the gland, but also the lymphatic vessels that fed it. This process provokes a malfunction in the functioning of the body. Removal of lymph nodes is a necessary measure because there is a possibility of the presence of cancer cells in the lymphatic system. If you remove them, you can avoid relapse of the disease in the future. It is worth noting that the presence of cancer cells in them can only be confirmed after their removal through histological examination.
After the lymph nodes are removed, the lymphatic system continues to send lymph to this part of the body, which gradually accumulates in the shoulder and arm. It is impossible to determine the outcome of surgery in advance. There are cases when the disease does not appear, but it also happens, on the contrary, when the slightest involvement leads to its occurrence.
Symptoms of lymphostasis
First stage: slight swelling appears in the evening, goes away until morning; swelling is monitored continuously; There are no connective tissue growths yet, it’s time to see a doctor.
Second stage: swelling does not go away; the skin hardens connective tissues grow; the skin is tight and swollen, which provokes pain syndrome. Treatment of lymphostasis of the hand later mastectomy in this case it is still permissible, but it is quite labor-intensive.
Third stage: irreversible metamorphosis; signs of the first and second stages intensify; cysts and wounds appear; deformation of the fingers occurs; the limb becomes inactive; Eczema, erysipelas or ulcers may occur.
Diagnostics
The doctor first conducts an examination, understands the history and signs. After this, it is necessary to undergo a biochemical and general blood/urine review. You need to consult a vascular surgeon, full examination pelvis, thoracic and abdominal cavity, limbs and veins. To confirm the diagnosis, lymphography is mandatory - a procedure for examining lymph nodes and vessels.
A woman who has had her breasts removed should be prepared for the occurrence of such complications. You should immediately consult a doctor at the first warning signs. A vascular surgeon, lymphologist or phlebologist can help. The expert will prescribe a set of reviews and ultrasound. During diagnosis, X-ray lymphography is used to determine the location of blockage of blood vessels.
Treatment of various stages of hand lymphostasis
With the support medications allowed to overcome the disease early stages his formation. Therapy is aimed at relieving swelling and correcting the typical proportion of a body part, preventing complications.
The course of treatment includes a whole range of measures:
- taking medications;
- manual lymphatic drainage, use of ointments and creams;
- wearing a bandage and compression garments;
- physiotherapy;
- massage.
Laser therapy and electromagnetic stimulation may be used. In the last stages of the disease, osteopathic visceral methodologies are used.
Lymphostasis of the arm caused by breast cancer is associated with the course radiation therapy. The origin of dense edema indicates that cancer cells have not been eliminated and there is a risk of relapse cancer. It is recommended to start gymnastics and massage for preventive purposes immediately after the end of radiation therapy. Swimming and wearing a compression sleeve have worked well. It is worth noting that the therapy is based on massage, gymnastics, and drug treatment- just an addition.
Hand massage for lymphostasis, the one that arose after mastectomy
The procedure can be performed by both the patient herself and her family members.
However, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions for its implementation in advance.
The duration of one session is 5 minutes. It is recommended to repeat the procedure every 2-3 hours.
Gymnastics for lymphostasis of the arm that arose after mastectomy
Therapeutic exercise is an indispensable component of therapy. Each exercise is done in 5 sets of 10 times.
Lymphostasis after mastectomy: therapy folk remedies
Recipe with plantain
Pour 2 tbsp. l crushed dried leaves of the plant with 2 glasses of hot water and leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, the resulting product is filtered. Drink it 30 minutes before a meal, adding a spoonful of honey in advance. The course of treatment is 2 months.
Recipe with tar
A head of unpeeled onion is baked in the oven. After cooling, it is cleaned and mixed with tar (1 tbsp.). The resulting mixture is lubricated with a thick layer of gauze, which is applied overnight. In the morning, remove the compress and wash your hand. warm water and immediately get a massage. It is recommended to repeat this procedure for 1-2 months.
Recipe with garlic
Mix 250 g of fresh chopped garlic and 350 g of honey in a small container. The mixture is left to stand for a week, and then 15 ml is taken before meals. Course – 2 months. Therapy with folk remedies is also based on taking tinctures, applying compresses from plants rich in vitamins P and C. The latter dilute the lymph, thereby promoting its outflow. It is recommended to drink plenty of pomegranate juice, rosehip infusion, cranberries and currants; red fruits and vegetables (beets, currants, rowan, grapes).
For more detailed advice, please contact your doctor!
Currently, the level of cancer is quite high. This can be explained different conditions: poor environment, unhealthy lifestyle, large number of chemical additives in food. Among all cancer diseases, one of the leading diseases is occupied by women.
Unfortunately, it often happens that we seek help quite late, so we have to remove the breast, and this entails other problems, for example, lymphostasis of the arm after a mastectomy. We will try to understand this disease in our article.
What is lymphostasis?
Surgery to remove the mammary gland is performed only in extreme cases, when doctors are sure that other treatment methods will not give the desired effect. The most common complication after surgery is swelling of the upper limb, which develops due to lymphostasis.
If after surgery there is a disruption of the outflow lymph fluid, then they say that lymphostasis of the arm has developed after removal. In this case, the affected organ becomes enlarged. If this problem is not eliminated, then the process spreads to neighboring tissues, where microcirculation of blood and lymph is disrupted. From this condition it is very close to fibrosis and trophic ulcers.
If you add to this, sepsis is just a stone's throw away. When surgery results in the removal of large lymph nodes, then the drainage function is disrupted, which leads to swelling of the hand.
Reasons for the development of the disease
With lymphostasis, persistent swelling is observed, which occurs due to impaired outflow of tissue fluid. If you have been diagnosed with lymphostasis of the arm, the reasons may be the following:
- Operations involving the removal of lymph nodes, which include mastectomy.
- Erysipelas.
- Chronic problems with the lymphatic and venous system.
Regardless of the cause, this disease requires immediate treatment to prevent serious complications from developing. There are cases when lymph nodes and muscle tissue are completely removed, but lymphostasis does not develop, and in some cases a severe complication begins even with the slightest intervention.
Types of lymphostasis
Doctors distinguish several stages in the development of lymphostasis:
- Early swelling.
- Late.
The first type usually develops immediately after breast removal, as damage to the lymph nodes occurs and lymph leaks out. This swelling is also called soft.
Late lymphostasis of the arm after removal of the mammary gland can develop after quite a while. long time after operation. Most often, such complications affect women who were exposed to radiation before or after surgery. They can also be triggered by scarring processes, which prevents the restoration of normal lymphatic drainage.
You should not take measures to eliminate this problem on your own; you should consult a doctor, because late swelling can often signal a recurrence of cancer. If this is not confirmed, then treatment of arm lymphostasis after mastectomy can begin.
Diagnosis of the disease
Typically, after the operation, the woman will remain in the hospital for about three weeks under the supervision of doctors, so during the examination, the doctor can detect problems with the lymphatic system in time.
If swelling begins to develop at later stages, then you will also need to consult a gynecologist, who will definitely ask:
- What operation was performed and how many there were.
- Were there any complications in the early stages after breast removal?
- The time when lymphostasis of the arm appeared after removal of the mammary gland.
- How does the disease progress?
- What medications have you already taken?
- Having other chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases.
Since it is not the gynecologist who should treat lymphostasis, he will recommend that you consult a specialist for an adequate solution to this problem.
Lymphostasis of the hand: symptoms
If the disease occurs in mild form, then we can note the appearance of swelling of the arm, which usually increases during the day, and goes away after a night’s rest. Physical activity or, conversely, a long immobile position can lead to an increase in edema.
At this stage, there are completely no irreversible changes in the connective tissue, therefore, if you contact a lymphologist in time, the prescribed treatment will allow you to get rid of this problem.
The average degree of the disease is characterized by swelling that does not disappear after rest. At the same time, connective tissue grows, the skin stretches and thickens, and you can feel painful sensations. With persistent lymphostasis, increased fatigue and cramps are observed.
If lymphostasis reaches the last stage, which is considered severe, irreversible changes in the lymphatic system are already observed. Fibrocystic formations and elephantiasis can be observed. These changes cause the contours of the hand to change and its functioning to be disrupted.
The worst thing is a serious complication of this period - sepsis, which can lead to death.
Treatment of lymphostasis
Therapy of this disease includes two stages:
- Ambulatory treatment. Prescribed by a lymphologist. At this stage, treatment of arm lymphostasis after mastectomy comes down to the following procedures:
- Wearing special compression stockings.
- Hand massage.
- Magnetic therapy.
- Drug treatment.
- Laser therapy.
- Maintaining a certain diet.
- Physiotherapy.
2. Treatment surgically if lymphostasis of the arm due to breast cancer has not been overcome conservative methods. Surgery is also indicated in cases where the disease progresses rapidly.
Drug therapy
If lymphostasis of the arm develops, only a doctor should prescribe treatment. Along with all physiotherapeutic methods, drug therapy is used, which prescribes:
- Angioprotectors.
- Phlebotics.
- Immunostimulants.
- Enzymes.
- Antibiotics if erysipelas occurs.
All of these groups of drugs, together with procedures, make it possible to restore normal lymph flow and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Therapeutic exercise for lymphostasis
Not only a massage for arm lymphostasis will be effective, but also a set of physical exercises that your doctor will recommend to you. All complexes are aimed at improving lymph flow. You can start classes from 7-10 days after surgery.
Afterwards the woman feels some stiffness in her hand and shoulder girdle, from this she begins to slouch, pressing her arm to her body. This leads to additional problems in the form of headaches and cramps that disrupt the movement of lymphatic fluid.
Massage and physiotherapy will help to avoid such consequences or get rid of them, if they already exist. The effect will depend on the time when classes begin - the earlier, the better.
You can perform the suggested exercises while sitting on the bed with your shoulders straightened. Repeat each exercise from 4 to 10 times. Do not push yourself to the point of exhaustion; if you experience discomfort or pain, you need to rest.
- Straighten your arms and place them on your knees, palms down. It is necessary to turn the hands over, just without straining.
- The position is the same, alternately clench your fingers into a fist and unclench them.
- Your arms should be bent at the elbows, with your palms resting on your shoulders. Slowly raise and lower your arms.
- Bend in the direction where the operation was performed, lower your hand and make small movements back and forth with it.
- You need to raise your hand on the operated side up and hold it in this position for several seconds.
- Inhale - raise your hand in front of you, hold your breath and move your hand to the side. Exhale - lower your hand.
- Perform at the shoulder joint.
- Place your fingers behind your back and straighten your arms. Try to raise your arms in this position.
- Join your hands behind your back in a “lock” and press them to your lower back.
Perform all exercises slowly, take your time. In this case, it is not the speed of execution that is important, but the regularity.
Healing massage
Before a woman is discharged from the hospital, the doctor will definitely talk with her about her daily routine, the sets of exercises that need to be done, and will also show and talk about massage techniques.
Traditional healers against lymphostasis
There is no need to panic if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema of the arm after a mastectomy. Treatment with folk remedies in combination with other methods of therapy will give good results.
First of all ethnoscience advises taking diuretic infusions and decoctions that will not contribute to fluid retention in the body. Taking diuretic tea has a good effect, here is the recipe for its preparation:
- Collect, dry and chop blackcurrant leaves.
- Combine them with the same amount of rose hips.
- Brew 1 teaspoon of the mixture with 200 ml of boiling water.
- Take 100 ml before meals 4 times a day after the tea has steeped.
If you ask traditional healers about how to treat lymphostasis of the hand, they will give you a lot of recipes. Here are some of them:
If you combine folk recipes with physiotherapy and drug treatment, you will be able to get rid of lymphostasis.
Diet for lymphostasis
You should always watch your weight because overweight do not add to our health, and even more so if we have problems with the lymphatic system. Nutrition for arm lymphostasis should be rational and within reasonable limits; after all, we eat to live, and do not live to eat.
Any food can become a medicine; ancient philosophers spoke about this. You can give the following recommendations according to the diet during lymphostasis:
- Reduce the amount of foods containing animal fats.
- Remove smoked meats and sausages from your diet.
- Increase your consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Do not give up whole grains in the form of cereals.
- The diet should include fermented milk products.
- It is not recommended to eliminate butter completely, but replace most of it with vegetable oil.
- Food should be boiled, stewed, and not fried.
- In addition, you can add a multivitamin.
You need to get up from the table with a slight feeling of hunger. This will not only be good for your health, but will also give you more strength.
Particular attention should be paid to the amount of fluid you drink during the day. It should not exceed 1.5 liters per day. It is advisable to drink this amount before 16-17 hours. It’s better not to drink liquid before going to bed; if you want, you can indulge in a glass of kefir or fruit.
in case of illness
After any operation, a person needs recovery, and there is no need to talk about breast removal. This is not only a physical injury, but also a big one. psychological stress for any woman.
First of all, in order to recover faster after surgery, and even more so if you have lymphostasis in the arm after breast removal, a special role is given to your daily routine. The body needs rest to recover, so night sleep should be at least 7-8 hours. Don't sit up in front of the TV until midnight; it is advisable to go to bed at 22.00 or 22.30.
To have a sound and healthy sleep, you need to take warm shower, Special attention focusing on water massage of sore areas. Many doctors do not recommend taking a bath. You can prepare a second, higher pillow for your sore arm if you have lymphedema in your arm. The photo just demonstrates that this position is more comfortable.
While there are problems with the lymphatic system, it is not recommended to sleep on the sore side, much less put your hand under your head. After waking up in the morning, you need to pay attention to the morning toilet, do a little exercise and take a light breakfast.
If you don't need to rush to work, you can take a walk in the park. At home, you can remove your prosthetic bra to allow your body to rest. During the day, a nap is recommended; it will help you regain your strength faster after surgery.
Many women, almost immediately after returning from the hospital, rush into action and begin to put things in order, wash, and clean. This is strictly prohibited, your household must take this into account and they will have to take most worries on themselves if they want to see their mother and wife healthy.
After a mastectomy, the body will take a long time to restore its lymphatic system. How successfully this happens can be judged by the presence of swelling on the arm. Good indicator there may be a ring on your finger: if it goes on as easily as before the operation, then everything goes well.
For those who have personal plot or your own house with a plot of land, the amount of work there should also be significantly reduced. If this cannot be avoided, then prepare a bench for work. As soon as you feel a little tired, you need to rest.
Do not forget not only about the area of operation, but also about healthy breasts. Try to avoid injuries and jolts, especially in crowded transport.
How to prevent the development of lymphostasis
If you were unable to avoid a diagnosis such as arm lymphostasis, treatment will still be needed to prevent more serious complications. But you can take some measures to minimize the risk of such a disease or prevent it altogether:
- You should remove items with tight elastic bands and cuffs from your wardrobe to prevent squeezing lymphatic and blood vessels.
- Use your healthy hand for manual labor, carrying bags, etc.
- To measure arterial pressure necessary on a healthy hand.
- Try to exercise every day.
- As soon as you notice some changes in your hand, be it redness, swelling, pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- In the first year after surgery, you can lift weights of no more than 1 kg with the hand on the side of the removed breast.
- Avoid work that requires you to sit for long periods of time with your torso bent forward and your arms down.
- The hand must be protected from all injuries and damage; even injections cannot be made into it.
- Sleep on your back or healthy side.
Lymphostasis is persistent swelling of tissues, which is formed due to disturbances in the outflow of lymph, that is, tissue fluid. As a rule, lymphostasis affects the lower extremities.
There are several factors that can be a direct cause of lymphostasis:
- Surgeries in which lymph nodes were removed.
- Erysipelas.
- Problems with lymphatic and venous vessels.
There are several stages of lymphostasis, each stage has its own symptoms and characteristics. The last stage of lymphostasis is elephantiasis or elephantiasis. This condition is characterized by a strong increase and thickening of the volume of the limbs, as well as trophic disorders of the subcutaneous tissue and skin and, as a result, disability of the patient.
Swelling, which becomes the main sign of lymphostasis, appears due to minor inflammatory process. For example, after a bruise, there may be swelling of the soft tissues, this is due to the influx of lymphatic fluid.
After some time, the swelling goes away, for this they use compresses, injections and medications. But there are disorders that are associated with the functioning of the lymphatic system, and then any bruise can lead to disturbances in the outflow of lymph. With lymphostasis of the arm, patients experience chronic swelling, which significantly disrupts the structure of the skin. It compacts the top layer, on which ulcers subsequently form, and elephantiasis progresses.
Causes of lymphostasis of the hand
The causes of lymphostasis of the hand are based on injuries and damage to the lymphatic system. As a rule, these are burns, bruises, surgeries, fractures, sprains or dislocations. Also, the causes of lymphostasis of the hand include:
Depending on the cause and type of damage to the lymphatic system, there are two types of lymphedema: primary and secondary.
The causes of primary lymphostasis of the hand are anomalies of the lymphatic system and blood vessels, usually congenital. The disease cannot be detected in the first years of life; it begins to manifest itself during puberty.
The causes of secondary lymphostasis of the arm are not congenital, and can be acquired by anyone healthy man. These include: tumors in the lymphatic system, trauma, chronic diseases, sedentary lifestyle (this applies to bedridden patients), erysipelas hands, operations on chest cavity, obesity.
Lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy
A mastectomy is the removal of the breast due to a malignant tumor. During breast removal, lymph nodes under the arm may be removed. This leads to disruption of the outflow of lymphatic fluid, that is, to lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy. If a mastectomy involves irradiation of the lymph nodes that are in armpits, then this also becomes the cause of lymphostasis.
Due to impaired lymph outflow, that is, damage to the drainage and lymph nodes, persistent and severe swelling of the arm appears. If the swelling goes away a couple of months after the mastectomy, then we are talking about postmastectomy lymphostasis. If the resulting swelling does not go away and cannot be treated, then we are talking about lymphedema. Lymphostasis does not appear in every woman who has undergone a mastectomy, but if it appears, it can accompany her throughout her life or go away after months or even years of fighting the disease.
The danger of lymphostasis of the arm after a mastectomy is that the swelling can cause deformation of the arm and is often accompanied by inflammatory processes. Postmastectomy lymphosis causes a lot of inconvenience to patients and causes stress and depression during the treatment period.
If lymphostasis of the arm after a mastectomy appears in the first year of treatment, then, as a rule, it is not dangerous and can be treated. The swelling is mild, but is accompanied by a bursting, aching pain and heaviness in the arm, all of which causes a lot of inconvenience. If treatment of arm lymphostasis after a mastectomy is not started in time, the disease will progress to the stage of severe dense lymphostasis, the treatment of which is a longer and more painstaking process.
Why does lymphostasis appear after mastectomy?
During a mastectomy, not only the breast is removed, but also the lymphatic vessels and nodes that receive and release lymph from the mammary glands. Once the breasts and lymph nodes are removed, the body goes haywire.
- The size of the removed lymph nodes can be different, it all depends on the stage and shape of the tumor and its location. In very severe cases, it is possible to remove the pectoralis minor muscle and level 3 lymph nodes.
- Lymph nodes are removed because there is a possibility that cancer cells are located in the lymphatic system. And if they are removed, then a recurrence of cancer can be avoided in the future.
- It is possible to determine if there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes only after they are removed. Oncologist conducts histological studies removed lymph nodes and mammary glands.
- Lymphostasis during mastectomy occurs due to a malfunction in the body. After the lymph nodes have been removed, the body does not stop sending lymph, but all of it accumulates in the shoulder and arm area.
It is impossible to predict the outcome of the operation in advance. There are cases when after complete removal lymph nodes and muscle tissue do not cause lymphostasis during mastectomy. But it also happens the other way around, when the slightest intervention in the lymphatic system causes severe lymphostasis of the hand.
Symptoms of lymphostasis of the hand
Symptoms of hand lymphostasis depend on the stage of development of lymphostasis. Let's look at the stages of the disease and the symptoms that accompany it.
- Light swelling on the hand, which appears in the evening and goes away after sleep, that is, in the morning.
- Swelling appears constantly, but at this stage patients rarely seek treatment. medical care.
- At the first stage, connective tissue growths have not yet begun, so if you seek medical help, you can prevent further development lymphostasis.
- Irreversible swelling appears in the arm.
- Connective tissues grow and the skin on the hand hardens.
- Due to edema, the skin on the arm is swollen and tight, which causes pain in the arm.
- As a rule, it is at this stage that patients seek medical help.
- Treatment is possible, but requires full compliance with recommendations and enormous effort.
- The disease becomes irreversible
- All symptoms described in the first and second stages intensify.
- Sores and cysts appear on the arm.
- The fingers become deformed, that is, lymphostasis of the extremities appears.
- The hand becomes immobile due to the development of elephantiasis.
- Eczema, ulcers, or erysipelas may also occur.
Symptoms of arm lymphostasis completely depend on the stage at which the disease is located. With each stage, the symptoms become dangerous and irreversible and entail a lot of complications, very difficult cases Possible death.
Diagnosis of lymphostasis of the hand
Diagnosis of hand lymphostasis begins with studying the symptoms of the disease and conducting a full examination of the hand. When diagnosing, it is necessary to do biochemical analysis blood and urine and clinical analysis. It is necessary to consult a vascular surgeon and conduct a complete examination of the chest cavity, pelvis, peritoneum, veins and limbs. In order to finally confirm the diagnosis of lymphostasis and find out the reasons for its occurrence, lymphography of the lymphatic system and lymphatic vessels is performed.
- At the first signs of lymphostasis of the arm, that is, when swelling appears, you should immediately contact a vascular surgeon, lymphologist or phlebologist. The doctor will be able to reliably determine the cause of swelling, and in the case of progressive lymphosis, he will prescribe a set of tests and ultrasound.
- When diagnosing lymphostasis of the arm and studying the patency of blood vessels, a lymphoscintrigraph is used, in other words, X-ray lymphography. This technique allows you to observe changes in the lymphatic system and find places where blood vessels are blocked.
- Lymphostasis of the arm can be confused with deep vein thrombosis or postphlebitis syndrome. In all cases there are varicose veins, mild swelling, unilateral lymphedema and hyperpigmentation. In order to accurately diagnose lymphostasis of the arm, ultrasound examination of the limbs and veins is performed.
Treatment of lymphostasis of the hand
Treatment of arm lymphostasis depends on the stage of the disease. Lymphostasis of the arm is severe, in some cases irreversible, swelling that occurs due to damaged lymphatic system and lymph nodes. Swelling in the hand can also appear due to an inflammatory process, after a bruise or blow. Swelling occurs due to the flow of lymph to the affected area.
As a rule, swelling goes away on its own, but in the case of lymphedema, you can only get rid of the swelling with the help of medicines and only in the first stages of the disease. But lymphostasis can cause not only a bruise or burn, but also a disease of the lymphatic system, which is characterized by impaired lymph outflow.
Treatment of hand lymphostasis is entirely aimed at stopping the swelling and returning the hand to its normal state, without complications. The speed and effectiveness of treatment depend on timely seeking medical help and diagnosis of lymphostasis. The course of treatment involves full compliance with all rules and recommendations, which include therapy, medication and the patient’s wishes. Lymphostasis of the hands is treated, as a rule, with conservative methods, which are aimed at creating all the conditions that will help cleanse the lymphatic vessels and bring the lymphatic tract and nodes to a normal working state.
Treatment of arm lymphostasis consists of:
- Complex drug therapy.
- Using manual lymphatic drainage, which helps drain lymph from the affected area.
- Caring for the affected hand, using ointments and creams.
- Selection of special compression bandages and underwear.
- Complex of therapeutic exercises and massage.
In some cases, treatment of arm lymphostasis involves pneumomassage or lymphopress. The procedure is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. Also, to treat lymphostasis, laser therapy and electromagnetic stimulation are used, which have a positive effect on the lymphatic system. Advanced lymphostasis, that is, lymphostasis of the arm in the last stages, is practically impossible to treat. In the last stages of the disease, osteopathic visceral techniques are used as treatment, which can reduce swelling and improve the inflow and outflow of lymph.
Treatment of arm lymphostasis after mastectomy
Treatment of arm lymphostasis after mastectomy begins after the stage of development of lymphostasis is determined. Lymphostasis after mastectomy can be dense or soft. Mild lymphedema of the arm after mastectomy is a reversible swelling that is treatable and can occur within a year after surgery. If soft lymphostasis has not been cured, then it develops into an irreversible form of the disease - dense lymphostasis.
Dense lymphostasis of the arm is directly related to the scars that form in the area of the lymph nodes after undergoing a course of radiation therapy, which is used to treat mastectomy. Many doctors claim that the appearance of dense lymphostasis in the arm after a mastectomy is the first sign that the cancer cells have not gone away, that is, a relapse of oncology is possible.
In the process of treating lymphostasis, it is very important to restore the outflow of lymph. To do this, collaterals are connected, which ensure normal blood circulation and lymph outflow. Another treatment method is physical therapy. It is recommended to start a set of therapeutic exercises a week after a mastectomy. This kind of rehabilitation should be carried out at all stages of arm lymphostasis. In the first days after removal of the mammary gland, it is very difficult to carry out therapeutic exercises, since the body hurts and the hands do not obey. But the sooner you start therapeutic exercises, the greater the likelihood of avoiding the appearance of lymphostasis. Physical exercise will improve the outflow of lymph, increase the elasticity of the tissues of the shoulder and arm, and help eliminate spasms that occur in the muscles.
It would also be a good idea to visit the pool and undergo a course of treatment using a compression sleeve, which helps stimulate lymphatic drainage. Please note that the main treatment for arm lymphostasis after mastectomy is special gymnastics, massages and physical education, and only then drug treatment.
Hand massage for lymphostasis
Hand massage for lymphostasis can be done either by the patient himself or by any person who knows the skills and nuances therapeutic massage. As a rule, during mastectomy and lymphostasis, upon discharge from the hospital, I instruct the patient and one of the family members regarding hand massage and the technique of its implementation.
Let's look at options for hand massage for lymphostasis:
- Raise your arm that has swelling or the arm that has had a mastectomy. Place your hand on a vertical surface. With your other hand, gently massage and stroke the sore arm. This must be done from the fingers to the shoulder and from the elbow to the shoulder, but not over the entire arm. Sometimes, with such a massage, medicinal ointments and creams are used.
- It is necessary to massage the hand from all sides. Carefully work the sides of the arm, inner and outer. Massage movements should be soft, slow, slight pressure should be felt on subcutaneous tissue. But this does not mean that you need to squeeze your hand too much. During the massage you should not feel any discomfort or pain.
The duration of one massage procedure is about 5 minutes. It is recommended to massage every 2-3 hours, depending on the stage of lymphostasis and the type of swelling.
Gymnastics for arm lymphostasis is a mandatory therapy, without which full treatment is simply impossible. We offer you a set of therapeutic exercises, which are recommended for hand lymphostasis. Each exercise must be done in five sets of ten times - this is the optimal physical activity that will help improve lymphatic drainage and relieve pain in the arm.
- Place your hands on your knees with your palms facing down and try to keep your elbows straight. Slowly turn your palms over, from the back to the outside. Please note that your fingers should be as relaxed as possible.
- Place your hands behind your back and lock them together. Your arms should be bent at the elbows and your palms pressed to your back. Slowly pull the palms of your hands towards your shoulder blades.
- Hands on your knees, elbows straight, alternately clench and unclench your fists.
- Raise your hand up, hold it in front of you, and slowly lower it. Follow the breathing technique, inhale and exhale slowly.
- Clasp your hands behind your back with your elbows straight. Raise your arms up so that your shoulder blades are squeezed together.
- Place your hands on your shoulders, slowly lower and raise.
- Place your hands on your shoulders and move your arms and shoulders in a circular motion, forward and backward.
- Stand up, bend your body and lower your sore arm. Relax your arm completely and swing it from side to side and back and forth.
- Raise your sore arm up and hold in this position for a couple of seconds, then move your arm to the side and hold again.
In addition to gymnastics, preventive measures are very important for the treatment and prevention of lymphostasis.
- With lymphostasis of the hand, it is very important to follow the rules of hygiene and regularly care for the affected limb. Remove nails and calluses, disinfect the instruments used to minimize infection in the lymph.
- Avoid injury, burns, scratches and any kind of damage. Try not to overheat, as this will only make the lymphedema worse.
- Lead an active lifestyle, as sitting in one place or lying down can cause stagnation of lymph in the body and will only complicate the disease.
- Use various nourishing and moisturizing creams, this will protect your hand from cracks and dryness.
- Stick to your diet and nutrition rules, this is an important part complex treatment lymphostasis of the hand.
Lymphostasis of the hand does not make a person disabled. Lymphostasis does not interfere with everyday activities and leading an active lifestyle. Be patient and follow all the rules of treatment, nutrition and exercise, and you will be able to cure arm lymphostasis.
Women who survived surgical treatment breast cancer, are susceptible to diseases such as lymphostasis. It manifests itself as a dysfunction of lymph outflow. With lymphostasis in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, patients develop temporary or chronic stagnation of tissue fluid (lymph). To prevent the development of this disease, it is recommended to provide manual or simple drainage massage procedures.
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Lymphostasis
Lymphostasis is a pathology of the lymphatic system, accompanied by impaired lymph circulation and retention of lymphatic fluid in tissues. With lymphostasis, tissue compaction, persistent swelling and noticeable thickening of the limb (lymphedema), and skin ulcers occur. Treatment of lymphostasis can be non-surgical (massage, compression therapy, hirudotherapy, medications) and surgical (reconstruction of lymphovenous anastomoses).
About Me
Dr. Mikhail Yuryevich Zheleznov is a specialist in the following areas: kinesiology, orthopedics, Vojta therapy, Vojta diagnostics, kinesiotaping, cerebral palsy, sports medicine, manual therapy. Extensive experience working with the Russian Paralympic team and leading children's center Russian Federal State Budgetary Institution Central Clinical Hospital FMBA (formerly DKB No. 38).
How to cure lymphostasis of the hand. Exercises and massage
With lymphostasis, patients experience chronic swelling upper limbs, which disrupts the structure of the skin. At the same time, the upper layer of the skin of the hands becomes significantly thicker, where ulcers subsequently form, and then elephantiasis develops.
Since this disease is quite difficult to diagnose in time, it is very important to be well informed about the causes and consequences of lymphedema, methods of prevention and ensuring good lymph circulation in order to minimize the risk of the occurrence and further development of this pathology.
Main causes of the disease
The main factor that, in most cases, causes swelling of the hand is injury and damage to the lymph nodes or lymphatic system of the hands. These are burns, surgeries, fractures, bruises, sprains or dislocations on the hands that disrupt the outflow of tissue fluid in the body.
Taking into account the causes and method of damage to the lymphatic system, WHO distinguishes two types of hand lymphostasis: primary and secondary.
- Primary lymphostasis of the arm is a congenital or hereditary anomaly of blood vessels or lymph nodes. The pathology cannot be diagnosed in the first years of a person’s life; it manifests itself already during the patient’s puberty.
- Secondary lymphostasis occurs as a consequence past diseases, operations (including operations on the chest cavity), injuries, fractures that led to edema, as well as tumors in the lymphatic system, erysipelas of the hands, obesity.
Symptoms of the disease
- At the first stage, there is slight swelling in the arm, which intensifies in the evening and goes away in the morning. Since on at this stage Connective tissue growths have not yet been observed; with proper diagnosis and medical care, further development of lymphostasis can still be completely prevented. However, patients usually mistake these symptoms for arm fatigue and do not seek help from a specialist.
- At the second stage, irreversible swelling on the hand is already clearly visible, connective tissues grow, the skin on the hand noticeably hardens, with external inspection the hand is swollen and tense, frequent pain appears in the hand. Treatment requires enormous effort, strict adherence to the regimen and recommendations of the attending physician.
- At the third stage, the disease is already irreversible; wounds and cysts begin to appear on the affected arm, which significantly increases pain. In this case, the fingers become deformed, the hand itself ceases to function normally and loses its natural shape, and elephantiasis develops. Also at this stage, complications in the form of eczema, trophic ulcers or erysipelas are possible.
- With each subsequent stage, the symptoms become more dangerous and irreversible, accompanied by various complications, and in very advanced cases, death is possible.
Diagnostic techniques
If you suspect lymphostasis, consultation with a lymphologist, vascular surgeon or phlebologist is required. Diagnosis of hand lymphostasis begins with visual inspection hands. Afterwards, it is necessary to conduct a biochemical analysis of blood and urine, a complete ultrasound examination of the extremities, chest cavity, as well as the pelvis and peritoneum.
In order to establish a final diagnosis, study the patency of blood vessels and find out the causes of lymphostasis, X-ray lymphography of the lymphatic system of the body is performed. It allows you to find places where blood vessels are blocked and dangerous changes in the lymphatic system.
Must be carried out differential diagnosis lymphostasis of the arm with deep vein thrombosis or postphlebitic syndrome, since in all pathologies similar symptoms are observed - varicose veins on the extremities, unilateral lymphedema, edema and hyperpigmentation. In order to accurately diagnose lymphostasis, ultrasound examination of the arm and veins is performed.
Formation of lymphatic edema of the upper extremities after mastectomy
Mastectomy is surgery to remove the mammary gland due to the formation of a malignant tumor in it. Since there is a possibility that cancer cells are in the lymphatic system, during this operation it is planned to remove the lymph nodes under the arm to avoid recurrence of cancer in the future. It is possible to determine whether there are cancer cells in the patient’s lymph nodes only after they are removed. This leads to certain disruptions in the body - disruption of the outflow of fluid in the tissues of the upper extremities. Also, the cause of lymphostasis of the arms can be irradiation of the lymph nodes in the armpits during a mastectomy.
But a distinction should be made between lymphedema and postmastectomy lymphostasis. Some women may experience swelling of the arms after such an operation, but if it goes away within a couple of months after the operation, then this is post-mastectomy lymphostasis and is treatable.
If you don't take it on time necessary measures for the treatment of postmastectomy lymphostasis of the arm, the disease will eventually go into the stage of irreversible lymphostasis, which requires more effort and money to cure.
Lymphostasis after mastectomy is dangerous because swelling can cause serious deformation of the affected arm, and is also accompanied by inflammatory processes.
However, there are cases that after complete removal of a woman’s lymph nodes and muscle tissue, lymphostasis does not occur. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the outcome of the operation in advance.
Treatment procedures and disease prevention
The effectiveness of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the timeliness of diagnosis, and, accordingly, seeking medical help. The unpleasant fact is that lymphostasis of the arm responds well to treatment only during the first stage. Later ones are incurable in most cases, since severe irreversible swelling of the limb has already formed due to damaged lymph nodes and the lymphatic system of the body as a whole.
In the first stage, treatment for arm lymphedema is focused on stopping the swelling and returning the arm to its normal state without complications.
General treatment for arm lymphedema includes:
- complex drug therapy;
- manual lymphatic drainage massage, which helps drain lymph from the affected part of the arm;
- caring for the affected area of the hand;
- individual compression sleeve and underwear;
- also, in some cases, pneumomassage or lymphopress;
- laser therapy, electromagnetic stimulation;
- complex of therapeutic physical gymnastics and massage.
Any drug treatment is carried out under the mandatory supervision of a specialist doctor.
In the process of treating lymphostasis, especially after mastectomy, it is first necessary to restore the outflow of lymph. For this purpose, all patients are prescribed physical therapy. It is used at all stages of lymphostasis of the extremities. Physical exercise improves lymph flow, increases the elasticity of arm tissue, and also helps eliminate spasms that occur in the muscles.
Gymnastics for lymphostasis of the arm
As mentioned above, gymnastics is a mandatory stage of treatment at all stages of the disease. Experts have developed a special set of therapeutic exercises that must be done to improve lymph flow and relieve pain in the arm.
- To begin, place both hands on your knees, palms down, while keeping your elbows straight. At a measured pace, turn only the palms themselves, from the back to the outside. Your fingers should be completely relaxed.
- Clasp your hands behind your back. Slowly pull your palms towards your shoulder blades.
- Return your hands to your knees, keeping your elbows straight, and clench and unclench your fists.
- Raise each arm one at a time, hold it in front of you, then slowly lower it. Watch your breathing, it should not be interrupted; throughout all exercises, breathe slowly and measuredly.
- Place both hands on your shoulders and then make circular movements with your arms and shoulders at the same time, alternately forward and back.
- In a standing position, tilt your body and lower your sore arm down, completely relax it and swing it from side to side, then back and forth.
- Raise the affected arm up, hold in this position for a few seconds, then move it to the side and hold again. Breathing should be uniform.
Hand massage for lymphostasis
Massage can be done either independently or by another person, who knows the nuances such a massage. They are pretty simple.
The main thing you need to know is that the massage should be done gently, slowly, on all sides of the arm in the direction from the fingers or elbow to the shoulder, and it is better if the affected arm is raised during the massage. You can use medicinal ointments and creams. During the entire massage, the patient should not experience any discomfort or pain.
The duration of 1 procedure is about 5 minutes. It is optimal to massage every 2-3 hours, but this depends on the stage of lymphostasis, or more precisely, the attending physician will say.
Treatment of hand lymphostasis using folk remedies
For successful treatment lymphostasis traditional methods They are also supplemented with folk remedies, but always with the knowledge and consent of the attending physician.
Among everything, plantain decoction has proven itself well. To prepare it you will need 2 tbsp per serving. spoons of dry leaves pour into 2 cups hot water, you can boil water and, after the infusion has cooled a little, add 1 teaspoon of honey, or eat it separately before drinking the decoction. The decoction needs to sit for hours, you can pour it overnight, strain in the morning and drink a minute before meals. It is advisable to take the decoction for two months.
Garlic is also a fairly well-known method of treatment. To do this, finely chop 250 grams of fresh garlic and add 350 grams of liquid honey. Infuse this mixture for a week. Then eat 1 tbsp. spoon 1-1.5 hours before meals, two months.
Also good effect shows the use of decoctions of cranberries, rose hips, currant leaves, as well as pomegranate and beet juice, since they contain vitamins C and P, which are necessary for this disease, to thin the lymph and improve lymph flow.
Prevention of disease
With lymphostasis of the upper extremities, it is very important to follow all the rules of hygiene and minimize the entry of infections into the lymph. It is advisable to do regular self-massage and exercise, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. Regularly moisturize your skin with nourishing creams.
Avoid injuries, burns, scratches, and also try not to overheat so as not to provoke lymphedema.
Stick to proper nutrition and sleep patterns, this is an important part of prevention various diseases, including lymphostasis of the hand.
Complications
If the disease is ignored, irreversible swelling of the affected tissues, deformation of the fingers, loss of functionality and shape of the hand occurs, which leads to the development of elephantiasis. Additional complications are possible in the form of eczema, trophic ulcers or erysipelas.
With each subsequent stage, the disease becomes more dangerous and irreversible, and in very advanced cases, death is possible.
According to WHO statistics, hand lymphostasis is diagnosed in more than 10% of the world's population. The reason for this is a sedentary lifestyle, neglected health problems, frequent stress, operations or injuries without proper post-operative care, and also not proper nutrition, which sooner or later leads to a slowdown in lymph flow, stagnation of toxins and waste in the body. As a result, various diseases and aesthetic defects of the limbs arise.
With lymphostasis, patients experience chronic swelling of the upper extremities, which disrupts the structure of the skin. At the same time, the upper layer of the skin of the hands becomes significantly thicker, where ulcers subsequently form, and then elephantiasis develops.
Since this disease is quite difficult to diagnose in time, it is very important to be well informed about the causes and consequences of lymphedema, methods of prevention and ensuring good lymph circulation in order to minimize the risk of the occurrence and further development of this pathology.
Main causes of the disease
- Primary lymphostasis of the arm is a congenital or hereditary anomaly of blood vessels or lymph nodes. The pathology cannot be diagnosed in the first years of a person’s life; it manifests itself already during the patient’s puberty.
- Secondary lymphostasis is formed as a consequence of previous diseases, operations (including operations on the chest cavity), injuries, fractures that led to edema, as well as tumors in the lymphatic system, erysipelas of the hands, and obesity.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of hand lymphostasis differ depending on the stage of development of lymphostasis.
- At the first stage, there is slight swelling in the arm, which intensifies in the evening and goes away in the morning. Since connective tissue growths are not yet observed at this stage, with proper diagnosis and medical care, further development of lymphostasis can still be completely prevented. However, patients usually mistake these symptoms for arm fatigue and do not seek help from a specialist.
- At the second stage, irreversible swelling on the arm is already clearly visible, connective tissues grow, the skin on the arm noticeably hardens, upon external examination the arm is swollen and tense, and frequent pain in the arm appears. Treatment requires enormous effort, strict adherence to the regimen and recommendations of the attending physician.
- At the third stage, the disease is already irreversible; wounds and cysts begin to appear on the affected arm, which significantly increases pain. In this case, the fingers become deformed, the hand itself ceases to function normally and loses its natural shape, and elephantiasis develops. Also at this stage, complications in the form of eczema, trophic ulcers or erysipelas are possible.
- With each subsequent stage, the symptoms become more dangerous and irreversible, accompanied by various complications, and in very advanced cases, death is possible.
Diagnostic techniques
If you suspect lymphostasis, consultation with a lymphologist, vascular surgeon or phlebologist is required. Diagnosis of hand lymphostasis begins with a visual examination of the hand. Afterwards, it is necessary to conduct a biochemical analysis of blood and urine, a complete ultrasound examination of the extremities, chest cavity, as well as the pelvis and peritoneum.
In order to establish a final diagnosis, study the patency of blood vessels and find out the causes of lymphostasis, X-ray lymphography of the lymphatic system of the body is performed. It allows you to find places of blockage of blood vessels and dangerous changes in the lymphatic system.
It is imperative to carry out a differential diagnosis of arm lymphostasis with deep vein thrombosis or postphlebitic syndrome, since similar symptoms are observed in all pathologies - varicose veins on the extremities, unilateral lymphedema, edema and hyperpigmentation. In order to accurately diagnose lymphostasis, ultrasound examination of the arm and veins is performed.
Formation of lymphatic edema of the upper extremities after mastectomy
A mastectomy is a surgical operation to remove the breast due to the formation of a malignant tumor in it. Since there is a possibility that cancer cells are in the lymphatic system, during this operation it is planned to remove the lymph nodes under the arm to avoid recurrence of cancer in the future. It is possible to determine whether there are cancer cells in the patient’s lymph nodes only after they are removed. This leads to certain disruptions in the body - disruption of the outflow of fluid in the tissues of the upper extremities. Also, the cause of lymphostasis of the arms can be irradiation of the lymph nodes in the armpits during a mastectomy.
But a distinction should be made between lymphedema and postmastectomy lymphostasis. Some women may experience swelling of the arms after such an operation, but if it goes away within a couple of months after the operation, then this is post-mastectomy lymphostasis and is treatable.
If the necessary measures are not taken in time to treat post-mastectomy lymphostasis of the arm, the disease will eventually progress to the stage of irreversible lymphostasis, which requires more effort and money to cure.
Lymphostasis after mastectomy is dangerous because swelling can cause serious deformation of the affected arm, and is also accompanied by inflammatory processes.
However, there are cases that after complete removal of a woman’s lymph nodes and muscle tissue, lymphostasis does not occur. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the outcome of the operation in advance.
Treatment procedures and disease prevention
The effectiveness of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the timeliness of diagnosis, and, accordingly, seeking medical help. The unpleasant fact is that lymphostasis of the arm responds well to treatment only during the first stage. Later ones are incurable in most cases, since severe irreversible swelling of the limb has already formed due to damaged lymph nodes and the lymphatic system of the body as a whole.
In the first stage, treatment for arm lymphedema is focused on stopping the swelling and returning the arm to its normal state without complications.
General treatment for arm lymphedema includes:
- complex drug therapy;
- manual lymphatic drainage massage, which helps drain lymph from the affected part of the arm;
- caring for the affected area of the hand;
- individual compression sleeve and underwear;
- also, in some cases, pneumomassage or lymphopress;
- laser therapy, electromagnetic stimulation;
- complex of therapeutic physical gymnastics and massage.
Any drug treatment is carried out under the mandatory supervision of a specialist doctor.
In the process of treating lymphostasis, especially after mastectomy, it is first necessary to restore the outflow of lymph. For this purpose, all patients are prescribed physical therapy. It is used at all stages of lymphostasis of the extremities. Physical exercise improves lymph flow, increases the elasticity of arm tissue, and also helps eliminate spasms that occur in the muscles.
Gymnastics for lymphostasis of the arm
As mentioned above, gymnastics is a mandatory stage of treatment at all stages of the disease. Experts have developed a special set of therapeutic exercises that must be done to improve lymph flow and relieve pain in the arm.
- To begin, place both hands on your knees, palms down, while keeping your elbows straight. At a measured pace, turn only the palms themselves, from the back to the outside. Your fingers should be completely relaxed.
- Clasp your hands behind your back. Slowly pull your palms towards your shoulder blades.
- Return your hands to your knees, keeping your elbows straight, and clench and unclench your fists.
- Raise each arm one at a time, hold it in front of you, then slowly lower it. Watch your breathing, it should not be interrupted; throughout all exercises, breathe slowly and measuredly.
- Place both hands on your shoulders and then make circular movements with your arms and shoulders at the same time, alternately forward and back.
- In a standing position, tilt your body and lower your sore arm down, completely relax it and swing it from side to side, then back and forth.
- Raise the affected arm up, hold in this position for a few seconds, then move it to the side and hold again. Breathing should be uniform.
Hand massage for lymphostasis
Massage can be done either independently or by another person who knows the nuances of such a massage. They are pretty simple.
The main thing you need to know is that the massage should be done gently, slowly, on all sides of the arm in the direction from the fingers or elbow to the shoulder, and it is better if the affected arm is raised during the massage. You can use medicinal ointments and creams. During the entire massage, the patient should not experience any discomfort or pain.
The duration of 1 procedure is about 5 minutes. It is optimal to massage every 2-3 hours, but this depends on the stage of lymphostasis, or more precisely, the attending physician will say.
Treatment of hand lymphostasis using folk remedies
For the successful treatment of lymphostasis, traditional methods are also supplemented with folk remedies, but always with the knowledge and consent of the attending physician.
Among everything, plantain decoction has proven itself well. To prepare it you will need 2 tbsp per serving. spoons of dry leaves pour 2 glasses of hot water, or boiling water and, after the infusion has cooled a little, add 1 teaspoon of honey, or eat it separately before drinking the decoction. The decoction must be left to steep for 10-12 hours; it can be poured overnight, strained in the morning and drunk 30-40 minutes before meals. It is advisable to take the decoction for two months.
Garlic is also a fairly well-known method of treatment. To do this, finely chop 250 grams of fresh garlic and add 350 grams of liquid honey. Infuse this mixture for a week. Then eat 1 tbsp. spoon 1-1.5 hours before meals, two months.
Also, the use of decoctions of cranberries, rose hips, currant leaves, as well as pomegranate and beet juice shows a good effect, since they contain vitamins C and P, which are necessary for this disease, to thin the lymph and improve lymph flow.
Prevention of disease
With lymphostasis of the upper extremities, it is very important to follow all the rules of hygiene and minimize the entry of infections into the lymph. It is advisable to do regular self-massage and exercise, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. Regularly moisturize your skin with nourishing creams.
Avoid injuries, burns, scratches, and also try not to overheat so as not to provoke lymphedema.
Stick to proper nutrition and sleep patterns; this is an important part of the prevention of various diseases, including lymphostasis of the hand.
Complications
If the disease is ignored, irreversible swelling of the affected tissues, deformation of the fingers, loss of functionality and shape of the hand occurs, which leads to the development of elephantiasis. Additional complications are possible in the form of eczema, trophic ulcers or erysipelas.
With each subsequent stage, the disease becomes more dangerous and irreversible, and in very advanced cases, death is possible.
According to statistics, lymphostasis of the upper extremities is diagnosed in more than 10% of the world's population, and the reason for this is a sedentary lifestyle, stress, surgery or injury, and an unhealthy lifestyle. Massage for arm lymphostasis helps get rid of the disease and prevent further limb defects. During the illness, swelling of the upper layers of the skin and the formation of ulcers are observed. Treatment procedures during lymphostasis include drug therapy, ongoing care, as well as exercises and massage.
Basic Rules
The treatment process is aimed at getting rid of swelling and returning the hand to its normal state. The speed and effectiveness of therapy depend on the time of seeking help and diagnosis of lymphostasis, as well as the stage of the disease. To get rid of the disease in a short time, use all the doctor’s recommendations and the following tips:
- After diagnosis, stop using fatty foods, resume proper nutrition, exercise every day, start getting proper sleep;
- to consolidate the theory, watch a video of a massage for arm lymphostasis, which was performed by a specialist;
- before the massage, turn on light music, use special oils and creams, which will allow you to relax and make the procedure more productive;
- starting position during the massage – sitting, with shoulders straightened;
- do not put pressure on your hand or rub it during the massage procedure - the affected tissues with lymphostasis do not tolerate rough and intense actions;
- Do not perform heavy physical work with the affected limb.
During illness, avoid all kinds of injuries and burns - you need to minimize infection and prevent lymphedema.
Technique
Gymnastics and massage exercises for arm lymphostasis can be performed by the patient himself or a family member at home. Before starting the procedure, be sure to consult with your doctor and carefully listen to all his recommendations. Session duration is 5-10 minutes. It is recommended to perform the procedure every 3-4 hours. Use in massage using the following techniques:
- Prepare for the massage - stroke your sore hand over the entire surface.
- Raise your affected arm up. Place it on a vertical surface. Continue to make stroking movements, gently massage your hand using rubbing movements. Do this on your fingers, gradually moving to your shoulder, then from your elbow to your shoulder.
- Pay attention to all sides of the hand. Perform a massage on the inside and outside of the limb. Movements should be gentle, soft, apply light pressure to the skin.
- Lower your hand down and finish the procedure by stroking your entire hand.
During the procedure, the patient should not feel severe pain or discomfort. If they occur, stop and postpone the massage session.
Lymphostasis after mastectomy
Mastectomy is an operation to remove the breast. There are dense and soft form diseases. In the first case, the swelling is treated and occurs in the first 12 months after surgical intervention, dense lymphostasis is characterized by the presence of scars in the lymph nodes due to the administration of a course of radiation therapy. If mild lymphostasis is not treated, it will smoothly develop into a dense form of the disease.
The main task in getting rid of the disease is to restore the outflow of the lymphoma. Treatment includes hand massage for lymphostasis after mastectomy, as well as therapeutic exercises - you can use all the exercises described above. Sessions should begin 7 days after the operation; massage should be performed at all stages of lymphostasis. It is quite difficult to do gymnastics for the first time after surgery: the body hurts, and the hands do not obey their owner. But the sooner you start the procedure, the higher the chance of avoiding possible complications.
The main treatment after surgery is massage and physical therapy. Drug treatment is used if the first methods are ineffective. Physical exercise improves lymphatic drainage, increases tissue elasticity, and helps get rid of muscle spasms. As complementary therapy Experts recommend going to the pool and using a special compression sleeve.
Excessive physical exercise women who have had a mastectomy are prohibited. Be sure to distribute the load.
If you ignore the symptoms of the disease, swelling of the damaged tissues and deformation of the fingers will occur. The hand will lose its shape and its movement will be disrupted. With each subsequent stage of the disease, lymphostasis becomes more and more dangerous, so when you first notice signs of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will diagnose the disease, prescribe the correct drug treatment, as well as gymnastics and massage procedures for lymphostasis of the hand.
Self-massage for arm lymphostasis - video
