Lymphedema

COMPRESSION GARMENTS

Lymphedema is a condition that we cannot cure, but our goal at ProRehab, PC is to teach you how to manage the swelling in your limb.  

Compression garments are used once the extremity has reduced in size. At that time your therapist who is a certified fitter will measure you for your compression garment.  

Compression garments are comfortable and provide pressure to prevent re-accumulation of swelling in the affected extremity.

Compression garments are to be worn daily. We recommend that your garment be put on first thing in the morning, after your shower or bath. You should keep your garment on during all waking hours, except bathing, and remove for sleep.

Your therapist may make the recommendation that you continue to bandage your extremity for your sleeping hours. If you are bandaging at night, it is beneficial to take off your garment then immediately bandage your extremity. It is advantageous to perform your exercises when you have your bandages in place. 

Only one compression garment is ordered at first. This is to ensure that it’s fitting properly and controlling your swelling. Once you and your therapist are satisfied with the fit, you can order a second garment. This allows you to always have a clean garment.  

CARE OF YOUR COMPRESSION GARMENT

Your compression garment is manufactured from the highest quality materials, and can be washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. After washing, lay your garment on a thick towel, roll it up and squeeze any excess water. Then, lay your garment out to dry. Do not dry in a dryer or in direct sunlight.

Note: Some materials are dryer-safe; please check with your therapist/fitter.  

It is recommended that the garment be washed out daily. Do not exceed 2-3 days without proper cleaning. Do not cut any loose threads or snares, as this may result in holes or runs in the garment!  This may ruin your garment. 

Depending on how hard you are on your garment and how well you care for your garment will depend on how often you will have to replace them. At the maximum, your garment should be replaced every six months. If you have an increase or decrease of five or more pounds, this can alter the fit of your garment.  

CONTACT YOUR THERAPIST OR THE CERTIFIED FITTER IF YOU NEED TO REORDER YOUR GARMENT. REMEMBER IF YOU REQUIRE A CUSTOM FIT GARMENT, IT MAY TAKE 2-3 WEEKS TO GET YOUR GARMENT – SO DON’T WAIT!

HELPFUL POINTS WHEN
APPLYING YOUR GARMENT

The use of rubber gloves:

Using common household rubber gloves simplifies the procedure of applying your garment. Rubber gloves allow you to smooth out the fabric with a minimum effort and grip the material. Rubber gloves also protect the fabric from runs/snags caused by fingernails.


The use of slip on aids:

For those who need to wear leg garments, there are “slip on aids” to assist you with your garment. This aid is made of very smooth, silk like material, which allows you to get the garment over the foot and ankle easier. The slip on aid is placed over the toes and you then insert your foot into the garment, and when the garment is fully applied, pull the aid out and smooth out the foot area.

Proper fit and garment distribution:

It is important to notice that the fabric is woven in straight lines, after application of the garment, make sure seams and stitches run vertically. If this is not the case, use your rubber gloves to straighten the fabric.

It is a common mistake to over-stretch the garment while applying it. This leads to a loss of support (compression) in your garment. If the garment is constantly bunching up behind the knee, it is most likely over-stretched. To correct this, simply work the fabric downward towards the calf.

The use of adhesive lotion:

Sometimes garments slide down the arm or leg. Sliding or rolling of the fabric can reduce the effectiveness of the compression garment and be bothersome to you. This problem can be eliminated with the use of adhesive lotion. If this is a problem with you, talk to your therapist.  

To use adhesive lotion, put the garment on and turn the top of the border over and apply the adhesive lotion to the area where the garment ends. Allow 3-4 minutes for the lotion to become tacky. Then turn the garment border back over.

ProRehab has certified fitters for Juzo, Jobst & CircAid.

COMPRESSION BANDAGING

The treatment of Lymphedema includes compression bandaging during both the first and second phases of Complete Decongestive Therapy.

Bandaging of the affected limb follows manual lymphatic drainage and starts the first treatment. Compression bandaging of the limb is necessary to reduce the swelling, prevent re-accumulation of the swelling, improve the efficiency of the muscle pumps and reduce dense/hardened tissues.

Bandages are worn daily during the course of treatment for Lymphedema. Bandages are worn approx. 23 hours a day, with removal for showering or bathing, once you are independent with the bandaging of your own extremity. During the start of therapy, you can sponge bathe, or come into therapy early to unwrap your extremity and wash the affected extremity in therapy.

You can sleep, work and drive in these bandages. You will need to wear loose clothing while your extremity is bandaged. If you are being treated for the lower extremity, you may need to use a shoe that ties, use a bigger shoe or wear a canvas “post-operative” shoe to accommodate the bandages.

Towards the end of phase one, when your extremity has reduced in size, you will be fitted with a compression garment to wear during the day. It is common that you will wear your compression garment during the day and still bandage at night.

BANDAGING MATERIALS 

1. A low pH lotion is applied to the skin, after the extremity is clean and before the start of bandaging. Examples include:  Eucerin, Curel, and Dermal Therapy.
    

2. The first layer is a non-elastic stockinette. This is to protect skin and absorb perspiration. This can be changed daily or washed daily.
    

3. The fingers or toes are bandaged first with an elastic gauze (Elastomull or Transelast). Replace this gauze as needed. Hand wash and air-dry this gauze. When applying finger or toe wraps some discoloration is normal, but the digits should not tingle, be cold or painful.
    

4. The padding bandage (Artiflex) should be applied next. It cushions the limb where needed. Common areas of use are the elbow, knee, wrist and ankle. This padding cannot be washed.
    

5. You may have a variety of foam pads, which are applied next. The foam (gray or orange) cannot be washed.
    

6. The outside layer is the low stretch elastic bandage (Comprilan). These bandages start at the fingers or toes and work up the extremity. There are four different sizes of the low stretch bandages. You start with the smallest width bandage at the fingers or toes and progress to wider bandages as you progress up the extremity. These low stretch bandages cannot be replaced with ace type bandages. These bandages are to be washed every 2-3 days. This not only keeps the bandages clean, but also helps them to regain their shape and elasticity. These bandages may be machine washed (place in a lingerie bag or pillow case to launder) or hand wash, then air dry in a flat position. After bandages are dried, they should be rolled, under slight tension. Bandages cannot be applied to the extremity effectively, unless you start with the bandages rolled up. When cared for properly, the low stretch elastic bandages should last 3-6 months.

ProRehab is able to supply you with these bandages at a nominal fee. 
Contact Us for purchasing information.