165 W 46th Street (AKA 1560 Broadway)
Suite 311, New York, NY 10036
Phone (212) 354-2622 • Fax (212) 354-2752



Lymphedema

Roseanne Cruz, PT, DPT, LLCC is the director of the Lymphedema Program, which addresses the upper and lower extremities and the trunk region in men, women, and children. And she also treats lipedema, venous insufficiency, and post-surgical swelling as well. She is a member of the National Lymphedema Network.

We are participating in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in October 2010.

Do you have lymphedema?
If you have any of these problems, maybe you do:

  • discomfort or pain in affected limb
  • feeling of fullness in the limb
  • tight-feeling skin
  • decreased flexibility in the affected joint
  • difficulty fitting into clothing in one specific area
  • ring, bracelet, wristwatch, shoe or sock tightness
  • fatigue
  • breast pain
  • fibromyalgia
  • infertility
  • painful periods
  • constipation/IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
  • chronic fatigue syndrome

Lymphedema, before & after
Left leg before & after
physical therapy
What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling of a body part due to a blockage in lymphatic flow when nodes or vessels are damaged or abnormal. The swelling may result in pain, decreased range of motion, and/or weakness.

What is lipedema?

Lipedema is a persistent swelling of a body part due to accumulation of fatty tissue and fluid. This results in pain and also known as painful fat syndrome. It involves the hips, thighs, and ankles; the feet are not affected. Lipedema appears as a symmetrical ring of tissue around the extremity, and doesn't respond to weight loss. This is not a dysfunction of the lymphatic system but can contribute and initiate problems with lymphatic flow.

Types of lymphedema:

PRIMARY - from birth or developed later in life

  • Birth - developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system
  • women more prone than men, legs affected more than arms
  • lymphatic vessels are impaired or missing
  • Praecox - appears in puberty and occurs mostly in females; typically one leg is affected
  • Tarda - appears later in life, can be male or female, sudden onset swelling with no apparent cause

SECONDARY - lymph nodes were removed or lymph vessels damaged due to one or more of the following

  • Surgery and/or radiation treatment of breast, gynecological, head, neck, prostate, testicular; bladder, colon CA or melanomas
  • Trauma, injury, or accident resulting in blocked/damaged lymph system
  • Infections - interrupt normal lymph pathway function

Lymphedema, before & after

Lymphedema may be caused by:

  • infections such as chronic cellulitis
  • trauma
  • tumors
  • certain surgeries (for cancers such as breast or testicular); blood vessel repair
  • radiation treatment

How do we treat lymphedema?

  • One-on-one, hands-on, lasts 45-75 min in comfortable private treatment rooms
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization, lymphatic drainage, scar mobilization
  • Modalities, including ultrasound, electrical stimulation
  • Therapeutic exercises, including range of motion, stretching, and strengthening
  • Patient education to maintain decreased edema, posture re-education, body mechanics, skin care
  • Compression bandaging and garments

Goals:

  • Increased range of motion/flexibility
  • Decreased swelling
  • Decreased pain
  • Increased strength
  • Restore function and improve quality of life

Featured Articles

arm bent
Bandages allow enough arm
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