Postoperative Swelling and Lymphedema: Home health OT, Tampa, FL.

Lymphedema is a long-term condition where fluid builds up in the limbs, causing swelling. It often happens when lymph nodes are damaged or removed during surgery, radiation, or due to an infection. Everyday tasks like moving, reaching, and using the hands may become difficult. Postoperative swelling is a result of the body’s response to surgery and is a normal response. However, sometimes swelling does not subside in a timely manner affecting fine motor coordination, range of motion, and performance with everyday tasks. It is important to reduce swelling in the upper body as this puts pressure on important structures and can cause pain, nerve symptoms, and skin breakdown in addition to other functional issues. Management of post-operative swelling can include elevation, manual lymph drainage, compression wrapping, compression sleeves, exercise, and other modalities to reduce swelling in the upper body.

Treatment for lymphedema includes education on special garments to compress the swollen area, gentle massage to help move the fluid, exercises to improve function, and skin care education and training. Self-management techniques are taught to all patients to help preserve results and maintain function. Clinicians utilize the voddler technique and are trained in holistic manual lymph drainage. Contact us today to learn more about home health occupational therapy near Tampa, FL.