Lymphedema Management

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR TREATMENT?
Individuals who have experienced the onset of swelling due to heredity, trauma, lymph node removal and/or radiation are candidates for evaluation. If there is a question regarding active cancer or infections, further physician’s review will be required. A referral from a physician is a requirement for evaluation and treatment by the qualified lymphedema specialist.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
A comprehensive lymphedema treatment program that is research-based and tailored to the individual’s needs has proven most effective. A typical program may include any or all of the following:

• Evaluation to determine the personal course of treatment
• Manual lymph treatment, a light hands-on technique is used to drain the lymph fluid from the part(s) of the body where the blockage is occurring.
• Compression bandaging and compression garments and compression pumps may be used in treatment and/or in ongoing home program to reduce the swelling and maintain the reduction of size in the affected area(s).

HOW DO I GET HELP?
Anyone can contact Kreider Rehabilitation Services for information and assistance. However, since the therapy we provide is medical, we require a physician referral to initiate treatment. The referral can be obtained through your physician. Our staff is available to assist you in this process. Call Kreider Rehabilitation at 785-840-2712

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Contact your physician for any of the following:

• Increase in size of your limb
• Feeling of heat in your limb
• Bursting sensation in your limb
• Red patches-could indicate infection. Contact MD immediately
• Puffiness of the limb
• Swelling or heat in the trunk on the same side as your surgery
• Feeling of tenderness in groin or bloated abdomen following pelvic surgery
• Swelling thigh following removal of or radiation to groin or pelvic nodes