Treatment available at Uniontown Hospital for lymphedema patients
A new treatment for those suffering with lymphedema is now available at Uniontown Hospital, and experts say there are no adverse side effects, only obvious results. Lymphedema occurs when the normal flow of fluid and protein is disrupted in the body, resulting in abnormal swelling, most often in the arms and legs. Though it usually develops following surgery, radiation or trauma, the swelling can also be caused by a parasite or a bacterial or viral infection.
Uniontown Hospital is now using a specialized form of physical therapy to treat lymphedema, and those who have underwent the treatment have witnessed positive results, said physical therapist Mary Saylor.
Saylor said the therapy, referred to as Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), involves manual, hands-on massage to reduce the collection of protein and fluid within a specific part of the body, in combination with compression bandages, remedial exercises and compression garments.
Since ulcers and open skin lesions are common among those who have lymphedema, Saylor said patients who undergo the treatment learn meticulous skin and nail care, in addition to learning how to spot the early signs of infection, which the open wounds make them more susceptible to.
Physical therapist Alyssa Kazmierczak, said 20 million people worldwide are affected by lymphedema, including 2.5 million in the United States.
Aside from the physical aspects, Kazmierczak said the medical problem has an emotional impact on its victims, affecting their quality of life.
Because of the uncomfortable swelling and body disfigurement that accompany lymphedema, Kazmierczak said many victims avoid public places. She said swollen limbs also make it difficult to fit into clothes.
Kazmierczak and Saylor, both of whom work at Uniontown Hospital, underwent specialized manual lymph drainage and CDT training in order to be able to treat patients. The women led a seminar Wednesday afternoon at the hospital in order to inform other medical personnel – doctors, nurses and therapists – about the available treatment that is now being offered in the physical therapy department.
Unlike traditional treatment options that have side effects, Saylor said CDT is non-invasive and drug free. She said compression pumps, diuretics and compression sleeves were once used to treat lymphedema; however, she said they were only a quick fix.
Studies show that patients who underwent CDT saw volume reductions in their swollen limbs ranging from 50 to 68 percent, according to Saylor, who noted that studies show 86 percent of patients maintained the initial reduction, even after nine to 36 months without treatment.
However, Saylor said the CDT is not for the faint of heart. She said the massages last 45 to 60 minutes per session and are performed in various lying positions depending on what the patient can tolerate five times a week for as many weeks as needed.
The patients must also wear a compression bandage 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the initial treatment, even during the therapeutic exercises, Saylor said.
After initial treatment, Saylor said patients will be given a compression garment they will continue to wear and said they will be expected to continue exercises at home.
“It’s an aggressive form of treatment,” Saylor said. “But if patients are willing, the rewards are definitely there.”
Dr. Theresa Lacava, a family practitioner who attended the seminar, said she has many patients who suffer from lymphedema and said CDT is a good way to treat the problem because it is non-invasive and because it produces noticeable results.
Dr. Pierre Edde, a critical care and pulmonary and sleep medicine specialist at Uniontown Hospital, said lymphedema can be a serious problem and said CDT should be tried in an attempt to avoid surgery.