Exercises after mastectomy for lymphostasis. Symptoms and various methods of treating lymphostasis of the hands Exercises for the prevention of lymphostasis after mastectomy

Currently, the level of cancer is quite high. This can be explained by various conditions: poor environment, unhealthy lifestyle, large number of chemical additives in food. Among all cancer diseases, women occupy one of the leading places.

Unfortunately, it very 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. This is the disease we will try to understand 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 the operation there is a violation of the outflow of lymphatic fluid, then they say that lymphostasis of the arm has developed after removal. In this case, an enlargement of the affected organ occurs. 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 large lymph nodes are removed as a result of surgery, the drainage function is disrupted, which leads to swelling of the arm.

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 quite a long time after the 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 relapse 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?
The presence of other chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease.

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 is mild, you may notice 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. In this case, connective tissue grows, the skin becomes stretched and thickened, and pain may be felt. 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 for this disease includes two stages:

Outpatient 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.
Therapeutic exercise.

2. Surgical treatment if lymphostasis of the arm due to breast cancer could not be overcome by 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 arm and shoulder girdle, which causes her to begin to slouch and press 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 physical therapy 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 unpleasant or painful sensations, 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 have a conversation 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, traditional medicine 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

We must always monitor our weight, since extra pounds do not add to our health, and even more so if there are 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. The following dietary recommendations can be given 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 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 physical trauma, but also great 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. To recover, the body needs rest, so sleep at night 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 a warm shower, paying special attention to water massage of sore spots. 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 affected 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 on most of the worries 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. A ring on your finger can be a good indicator: if it puts on as easily as before the operation, then everything is going well.

For those who have a personal plot or their 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.

Don’t forget not only about the area of surgery, but also about your 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 the lymphatic and blood vessels.
Use your healthy hand for manual labor, carrying bags, etc.
It is necessary to measure blood pressure on a healthy arm.
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 of the upper limb is one of the most common complications after surgical interventions for (ICD-10 code – I89.9)

Causes of lymphostasis

In the human body, all organs and systems are interconnected. In addition, various biological fluids of the body also perform a vital function. Such fluids include blood, lymph, bile, various secretions, etc.

One of the most important functions of lymph is to regulate the amount of interstitial fluid, or in other words, the drainage function.
Lymph contains a large amount of protein, lymphocytes, hormones, etc.
No less important is the immune function of lymph, since various infectious agents, toxins, wastes and salts enter it, which the body is trying to get rid of.

Lymphatic vessels always pass close to blood vessels. At the same time, the cardinal difference between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system is that along the path of the lymphatic vessels there are lymph nodes in which “unnecessary” cells settle.

For example, during infectious diseases, lymph nodes become enlarged, since bacteria, viruses or fungi with lymph flow stay in them for a long time.

During oncological processes, atypical cells also enter the lymph node tissue with the lymph flow. Sometimes there are so many cells that the entire tissue of the node is replaced by metastasis. Of course, in this condition, the filtration function of the lymph node is lost.

Patients who have undergone radical surgical treatment for breast cancer often encounter a complication such as lymphostasis of the upper limb on the affected side.

The cause of lymphostasis is the surgical intervention itself. During a radical operation (mastectomy), not only the mammary gland with the tumor is removed, but also possible ways of spreading atypical cells throughout the body.

In breast cancer, the main route of metastasis is considered to be lymphogenous - i.e. with lymph flow. Therefore, the mammary gland with the tumor and several groups of lymph nodes are removed as a single block.

After removal, the lymphatic vessels from these lymph nodes are ligated. As a result, the process of disrupting the outflow of lymph is started.

Measures to prevent lymphostasis begin to be carried out in the early postoperative period.

Sometimes lymphostasis can develop without surgical intervention. Thus, with a widespread tumor process, when several groups of lymph nodes are replaced by metastases, the outflow of lymph from the upper limb is also disrupted.

Symptoms and signs of lymphostasis of the upper extremities

There are several degrees of lymphostasis:

In the first degree, the swelling is mild, the upper limb does not lose its function.
In the second degree, the swelling becomes more dense, skin itching may occur, the size of the upper limb (in comparison with a healthy arm) is much larger, which is accompanied by a decrease in arm function.
And the third stage is when the edematous tissues of the upper limb are dense. This is accompanied by severe dysfunction of the upper limb and severe pain.

People often hear the term “elephantiasis” in such conditions. This is due to the fact that the hand on the affected side looks several times larger (compared to the healthy hand).

Thus, we can formulate the main symptoms of lymphostasis:

Change in size of the upper limb on the side; radical surgery;
Swelling of the upper limb of varying severity;
Change in the color of the skin on the hand;
Change in skin elasticity on the affected side;
Pain of varying intensity;
Skin itching;
Changes in the vascular pattern of the skin of the hand;
Decreased function of the upper limb.

People with lymphostasis are forced to wear clothes several sizes larger than necessary in order to cover their defect as much as possible.

Hello. My name is Christina, I'm 45 years old. In July 2017, I had a left Madden radical mastectomy. She was discharged with all recommendations for the prevention of lymphostasis. A week ago, pain arose in my left arm, the arm swelled a little, and the temperature rose to 37.5. Which doctor should I see now?

Hello Christina. You can contact a general oncologist at your local clinic with the obligatory provision of all documentation from the hospital where you received treatment (discharge). A general oncologist can recommend that you consult a surgeon and a rehabilitation doctor

Prevention of lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy

Preventive measures for lymphostasis are the most important task: since lymph contains a large amount of protein, the risk of developing septic (purulent) complications increases (because protein is a breeding ground for a large number of microbes).

Septic complications can develop both in the early and late postoperative period. An example of a purulent complication after surgery for breast cancer, complicated by lymphostasis, can be erysipelas. Also, the risk of septic complications with lymphostasis of the arm increases against the background of diabetes mellitus.

Lymphostasis is a complication that needs to be dealt with as early as possible!

Often, after undergoing surgery, patients try to avoid traumatic conditions and try to cover and protect the place where the operation took place. In most cases, this is accompanied by a forced position of the hand. Many people tie their arm in a bent state so that it is almost completely immobilized (as with a fracture).

Contracture of the shoulder joint is a serious complication that leads to disability of the patient.

Contracture is a pathological condition that results in impaired motor function of the joint. Contractures can be flexion or extension. After mastectomy, patients most often deal with flexion contractures.

This condition is dangerous because in patients the shoulder joint stops extending. And this affects the patient’s standard of living: many lose the ability to care for themselves, cannot dress themselves, perform various manipulations, etc.

In modern medicine, great emphasis is placed on improving the patient’s quality of life, which is why it is vital to fight lymphostasis.

Such measures include:

Explanatory conversation with the patient. Each patient should be informed in detail about the risks of this or that complication.
The set of measures to prevent lymphostasis of the upper limb includes massage, physical therapy, hardware methods, certain physiotherapeutic methods and diet.

Massage and exercise therapy often begin even in the patient’s room. The attending physician, together with a rehabilitation physician, selects a rehabilitation program for a specific patient.

This takes into account such indicators as:

Age
Complaints
scope of surgical intervention
timing of surgery
physique
concomitant pathology (chronic diseases)
severity of lymphostasis
Ultrasound with Dopplerography of the upper limb

Massage and physiotherapy for lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy

There are several types of therapeutic massage for the prevention of lymphostasis of the upper limb:

simple medical massage
pressotherapy (a type of medical massage using special devices that can compress and unclench the muscles of the upper limb)

pneumotherapy (air massage)
hydrotherapy (massage with liquid)
lymphatic drainage (both manual and using medical equipment)
self-massage

Some physiotherapy techniques are also used:

Magnetotherapy
Laser therapy
Taping (tape, which, when glued to the hand, forms a local zone of low pressure underneath, thereby triggering the processes of accelerating the flow of lymph).

Therapeutic exercises for lymphostasis

For therapeutic exercises, exercises with passive and active flexion and extension, abduction and adduction of the arm, as well as rotation of the torso and neck are used.

All patients after radical mastectomy are prescribed to wear special underwear in the form of a compression sleeve for prophylactic purposes. In order to correctly select the required size and compression class, the following indicators are taken into account:

the widest point of the upper limb (or elbow area)
distance from wrist to shoulder
wrist circumference
the circumference of the middle of the forearm.

Measurements are made with a regular measuring tape. These banding indicators are also necessary for dynamic monitoring of the patient. The compression class and product size are determined by the doctor.

Drug treatment of lymphostasis of the upper limb

For medicinal solutions to the problems of lymphostasis, the following are used:

diuretics (Lasix diuretics)
antiplatelet agents (trental)
anti-inflammatory drugs (vobemzym)
agents that improve microcirculation in tissues (traxevasin)
antihistamines (to combat itching of the skin - Tavegil)
multivitamin complexes (milgamma)
balanced healthy nutrition

Also, drugs such as Detralex and Phlebodia 600 have proven themselves. Both drugs are aimed at strengthening the vascular wall of the veins of the upper limb, reducing the risk of micro-tears. No significant differences in effectiveness were noted.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment of lymphostasis with folk remedies is extremely doubtful, since it is significantly inferior to traditional methods of treating this complication.

For example, the use of dietary supplements containing succinic acid, hirudotherapy, as well as the use of various salt compresses is permissible only with the permission of a doctor and as a supplement to the main traditional treatment.

Hello. My name is Vera, I am 60 years old. Since 2016, I have been registered with a mammologist for cancer of the right breast. In February 2017, surgery was performed. It was not possible to save the breast. During the first month after the operation, the right arm greatly increased in size, began to bend worse, and itched. Having had an appointment with the doctor who performed the operation on me, I received a course of special treatment for lymphostasis (massage, physical therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures). In addition, I received various medications. My health has improved significantly. As soon as I was discharged from the department, I took all the medications off myself, because I think that folk remedies are better. A neighbor gave me an infusion for compresses. What is lymphostasis in general, and why does it have to be treated in a hospital? Which treatment gives better results?

Hello, Vera. Lymphostasis is a complication in the form of a violation of the outflow of lymph in the arm on the side where the operation was performed. A serious enough complication to experiment with infusions from a neighbor. It is unlikely that your neighbor is a doctor and will be able to help you. All types of treatment are reduced to a complex of traditional methods. And only in rare cases can they be supplemented with folk remedies. Be sure to consult a doctor soon for further examination and treatment. Make the right choice

You can ask your question to our author:

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, as well as poor 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 hand is already clearly visible, connective tissues grow, the skin on the hand noticeably hardens, upon external examination the hand is swollen and tense, and frequent pain in the hand 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 body's lymphatic system 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 lymphostasis of the arm 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 a 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 the 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 medicated 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.

Disease prevention

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.

Lymphostasis of the hand is a serious disease that causes persistent swelling. Let's look at the causes of the disease, treatment methods and preventive measures that will get rid of lymphostasis.

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 a 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; compresses, injections and medications are used for this. 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 hand are not congenital, and any healthy person can acquire them. These include: tumors in the lymphatic system, injuries, chronic diseases, a sedentary lifestyle (this applies to bedridden patients), erysipelas of the hands, operations on the 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 during a mastectomy the lymph nodes located in the armpits are irradiated, this also causes 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. The oncologist conducts histological examinations of the 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 of lymph nodes and muscle tissue during mastectomy, lymphostasis does not occur. 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.

First stage:

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 medical help.
At the first stage, connective tissue growths have not yet begun, so by seeking medical help, further development of lymphostasis can be prevented.

Second stage:

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.

Third stage:

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; in very complex cases, death is possible.

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 a biochemical analysis of blood and urine and a clinical analysis. It is necessary to consult a vascular surgeon and conduct a complete examination of the chest cavity, pelvis, peritoneum, veins and extremities. 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. All cases present with 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, swelling can only be eliminated with the help of medications 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 tracts 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 of 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, and slight pressure should be felt on the 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.

Treatment of hand lymphostasis with folk remedies

Treatment of hand lymphostasis with folk remedies is a treatment that has evolved over many years. That is, we can say with confidence that traditional methods of treatment are a proven panacea for hand lymphostasis. Let's look at the most effective recipes that are used in the treatment of lymphostasis with folk remedies.

Treatment with plantain

2 tablespoons dried plantain leaves
2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon honey

Pour boiling water over the plantain leaves overnight and let it brew. In the morning, strain the broth. Should be taken 30 minutes before meals. Before drinking the decoction, you need to eat a spoonful of honey, this enhances the healing effect of the tincture. It is recommended to drink the decoction for two months.

Treatment with tar

1 tablespoon of tar
1 onion

The onion must be baked in the oven, and the onion must be baked in the husk. After the onion has baked, it must be peeled and mixed with tar. Spread the resulting mixture on a thick layer of gauze and apply it to the lymphostasis on your arm overnight. In the morning, you need to remove the bandage, wipe your hand with warm water and do a light massage. Traditional medicine recommends taking honey before applying a compress and after removing it. Honey actively fights lymphostasis of the hand, accelerates and enhances the effect of other therapeutic procedures. It is recommended to repeat the procedure within a month or two.

Treatment with garlic

250 grams minced fresh garlic
350 grams of liquid honey

The ingredients must be mixed and infused for one week. You need to take one tablespoon of the mixture an hour before meals, the course of treatment is 60 days.

Treatment of hand lymphostasis with folk remedies involves taking tinctures and lotions to the affected hand from herbs and plants that contain vitamin C and P. These vitamins help thin the lymph and improve its outflow and inflow through the lymphatic system. Consume pomegranate juice, decoctions of currants, cranberries and rose hips. Eat fruits and drink red juices, as they contain a lot of vitamin P: grapes, beet juice, currants, rowan.

Gymnastics for lymphostasis of the arm

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 your palms 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 nutritional rules; this is an important part of the comprehensive treatment of hand lymphostasis.

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.

Important to know!

Lymphedema is swelling of the limb due to hypoplasia of the lymphatic vessels (primary lymphedema) or their obstruction or destruction (secondary). Symptoms include brown skin and firm (if pressed with a finger does not leave an indentation) swelling of one or more extremities.

Lymphostasis of the arm is a severe condition that can be caused by pathologies of the mammary gland, tumors and deformations of the vascular bed. In women, lymphostasis of the upper extremities is often a complication after surgery to remove the mammary gland. During surgery, regional lymph nodes are removed preventively, which causes disruption of lymph flow.

The lymphatic system in the human body plays primarily protective and cleansing functions. This is the main part of the immune system; with the help of a branched vascular bed, a yellowish fluid saturated with lymphocytes circulates. These cells of the immune system are “defenders” - when a foreign protein is detected, they attack the object, absorb it and neutralize the pathogenic effect.

The lymphatic system does not have a pumping “pump” - the movement of fluid is carried out using the compressive effect of contracting muscle fibers. If the muscles do not receive regular and adequate physical activity, the movement of lymph stops. In certain areas, stagnation may form.

We invite you to learn in detail about the possible causes and consequences of lymphostasis of the upper extremities. It also talks about what symptoms the pathology manifests itself and how it can be effectively dealt with using manual therapy methods.

Our manual therapy clinic has developed proprietary methods for complex treatment of lymphostasis and its negative consequences. You can schedule a free consultation with a chiropractor.

Causes of lymphostasis of the upper extremities

In most cases, the causes of arm lymphostasis lie in banal excess weight, which arose against the background of a sedentary lifestyle combined with a high-carbohydrate diet. And this is the real scourge of modern women. Lymphostasis in the shoulder girdle area manifests itself as horrifying-looking lumps and thickenings in the forearm area. An increase in the volume of this part of the arm does not adequately correlate with the degree of obesity. This is due to dense subcutaneous swelling due to stagnation of lymphatic fluid.

Other probable causes of lymphostasis of the upper limb may be:

impaired conductivity of the vascular bed (mainly due to obliterating degenerative processes);
increasing the viscosity of the lymphatic fluid (due to high levels of glucose in the blood when eating large amounts of sweets);
changes in the anatomical structure of the humerus and glenohumeral joint of the bones (usually occurs against the background of deforming osteoarthritis);
tunnel syndromes and consequences of radicular syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis (a disruption of the process of innervation of the muscular wall of the lymphatic vascular bed and loss of the ability to move fluid occurs);
habitual shoulder dislocation;
the presence of chronic foci of inflammation and tissue destruction in the area of the hand, forearm and shoulder (for example, felon can provoke obliteration of the regional axillary lymph node, which causes the development of lymph stagnation);
wearing tight clothes;
compression of the upper limb;
incorrectly chosen position for sleep and rest, which disrupts the natural flow of lymph.

When listing the causes of lymphostasis of the upper extremities, it is impossible to ignore the topic of oncology and mastopathy. All types of breast tumors require extirpation of regional lymph nodes, since they are an additional risk factor for the development of metastasis. And this becomes a high risk factor for the development of lymphostasis of the arm on the side of the operated mammary gland.

All causes of lymphostasis of the upper extremities must be eliminated before treatment begins. Otherwise, all the efforts of doctors will be in vain. Stagnation of lymphatic fluid will return shortly after the end of the course of therapy.

Lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy (removal of the mammary gland)

Secondary lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy is a very common complication that literally poisons the entire subsequent life of the operated woman. Rehabilitation is required to help the lymphatic system. It must restructure its work and ensure timely outflow of lymphatic fluid to the next node, where poisons, toxins and tissue breakdown products will be effectively deactivated.

In order to cure lymphostasis of the arm after removal of the mammary gland, it is necessary:

start the work of the internal collateral bed, which under normal conditions is not involved and is a reserve;
direct the flow of lymphatic fluid to the next node, for example, in the mediastinum;
strengthen the tone of the lymphatic muscle wall, since the distance over which the fluid will now have to be moved increases sharply;
accelerate the process of recycling and microcirculation in the intercellular space.

All these processes can be started with the help of reflexology, kinesitherapy and special complexes of therapeutic exercises. A special massage aimed against lymph stagnation improves tissue trophism and accelerates regeneration processes.

Clinical symptoms of hand lymphostasis

Primary signs of pathology may manifest themselves as a feeling of heaviness, a slight change in the volume of the upper limb. Gradually, the clinical symptoms of arm lymphostasis increase and become difficult to ignore. They include the following manifestations:

increase in arm girth in the shoulder and forearm area by 2 or more times;
thickening of the skin;
inability to assemble a skin fold;
increasing the elasticity of the skin and soft tissues of the hand due to the accumulation of a large amount of lymphatic fluid inside;
secretion of lymph through the skin pores in the form of transparent yellowish drops;
cramps, numbness, sharp pain in the arm;
inability to clench and unclench fingers.

The clinical picture begins to form in the area of the fingers, gradually affecting the wrist, forearm, elbow joint and shoulder. You should consult a doctor at the first sign. Usually this is the appearance of dense swelling that does not go away after resting and changing the position of the hand.

Lymphography is prescribed for diagnosis. During this diagnostic procedure, a contrast agent is injected into the lymphatic system and after some time a series of x-rays are taken. They show the movement of lymph and those places where there is difficulty in its free flow. This may be a narrowing of blood vessels or tortuosity of their course, compression by surrounding deformed and scar tissue, etc.

Doppler scanning of blood vessels allows us to exclude venous and arterial insufficiency. Ultrasound and ECG allows us to exclude renal, cardiac and biliary pathologies, which may also be accompanied by the presence of dense edema in the distal parts of the body (upper and lower extremities).

Treatment of lymphostasis of the upper extremities

Treatment of arm lymphostasis should always begin with identifying the potential cause of this disorder. Only after eliminating the cause can a positive result of the therapy be guaranteed.

In our manual therapy clinic, treatment of lymphedema of the upper extremities begins with a full consultation with a doctor. He collects anamnesis, identifies the cause of lymph stagnation and gives individual recommendations that relate to:

daily routine and amount of physical activity;
organization of work and sleeping space;
preparing a daily diet;
drinking enough liquid;
treatment of chronic diseases;
selection of clothes and shoes.

How to treat lymphostasis of the hand and what to do?

The first thing to do if you have arm lymphostasis is to immediately seek medical help. You won’t even be able to independently determine the cause of this condition. Meanwhile, it is the stagnation of lymphatic fluid that often becomes the first sign of an oncological process or destruction of the bones that make up the shoulder and glenohumeral joints. Therefore, contact your doctor promptly.

Before treating lymphostasis of the hand, it is necessary to conduct an examination to identify potential pathogenetic factors that provoke disruption of the process of lymph movement. The doctors at our manual therapy clinic will help you do this. You can get to your initial appointment completely free of charge. To do this, you just need to sign up for a consultation at any time convenient for you.

Exercise therapy, gymnastics and lymphatic drainage massage for lymphostasis of the arm

Therapeutic massage for lymphostasis of the hand allows you to quickly and safely eliminate fluid stagnation and reduce the degree of infiltration of soft tissues. Only a professional should do lymphatic drainage massage of the hand for lymphostasis. This must be a person who has a special medical education and has all the basic knowledge about the anatomy of the vascular bed of the human body. Otherwise, compression massage can lead to more serious health problems. Do not trust “specialists” from beauty and massage salons to carry out this procedure. Ask to provide a diploma from a medical school.

Therapeutic exercises for lymphostasis of the arm can enhance vascular tone and accelerate the flow of lymph through active physical activity of all muscle groups of the upper extremities. Exercise therapy for arm lymphostasis is not a temporary measure. It cannot be conducted in the form of courses. Gymnastics should become a daily mandatory procedure. This is the only way to avoid relapse of the pathology in the future.

Prevention of lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy

Timely prevention of lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy allows you to avoid negative consequences in the form of severe swelling of the limb. Every woman should understand that carrying out some types of treatment on her own is not always safe. It is not recommended to massage yourself. The targeted effect on the vascular bed must be adequate and correctly calculated. One awkward movement can disrupt the flow of lymph, blood, or the innervation of an entire area of the arm.

Usually, prevention of hand lymphostasis is a whole range of measures. It includes changing your diet, increasing physical activity, and creating favorable conditions for work and night rest.

We invite you to a free initial consultation with a manual therapist at our manual therapy clinic. Here you will receive comprehensive information about how lymphostasis can be prevented and treated.