Lymphedema: What it is and What Causes it

I noticed something was wrong with my foot the morning after the soccer game. It was in tremendous pain. I thought that I hurt it during the grade school soccer game I played in the evening before. I didn't go to school that day because of the pain. However, the next day the pain was gone but I had a new problem. The shoe on my right foot wouldn't fit. My right foot all the way up to above my knee was swollen.

After visiting several doctors and getting many opinions I knew that this condition was permanent. I didn't get a specific name for the condition of my leg, but I knew it was something I would have to deal with for the rest of my life. Twenty plus years later I found out that what causes my leg and foot to stay swollen is called Lymphedema.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling in either arms or legs, and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired, or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed.

There are two types of Lymphedema, Primary Lymphedema and Secondary Lymphedema. Primary lymphedema, which is what I have, can affect between one and four limbs and/or other parts of the body. It can be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty or in adulthood all from unknown causes.

Secondary lymphedema can develop as a result of surgery, radiation, infection or trauma. Specific surgeries such as surgery for melanoma or breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate or testicular, bladder or colon cancer, all of which require removal of lymph nodes, put patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema. Secondary lymphedema can develop immediately or weeks months and even years later.

Is there a Cure?

Currently there is no cure for lymphedema, but there are ways to treat the condition. Planning the the treatment program depends on the cause of the lymphedema. For example: If the initial signs and symptoms of swelling are caused by infection, antibiotics will need to be prescribed first. Treating an infection often reduces some of the swelling and discoloration.

If the lymphedema is not caused by an infection the treatment plan should include remedial exercises, proper skin care and diet and wearing a compression garment (sleeves or stockings). Everyday I wear a tight elastic support stocking on my right foot to keep the swelling down. The foot of my bed is also elevated slightly so the swelling in my foot will go down while I sleep at night.

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