I get asked this question a lot. Probably because no one really knows what lymphedema is, sometimes, not even a primary care physician. Here are the basics of what a lymphedema specialist will do.

A: A Lymphedema Doctor is someone who specializes in the treatment, therapy and prevention of lymphedema.

Your doctor will ask you whether you have had any surgery, radiation treatments, or infections in the affected area. He/she may ask if you have ever had a blood clot. If a child has lymphedema, the doctor will ask if anyone in your family had leg swelling starting at a young age. This may indicate an inherited disorder.

Your doctor will examine the swollen area and press on the affected skin to look for a fingertip indentation (pitting). He/she may measure the circumference of the affected arm or leg to determine how swollen it is compared to the other one. The doctor will look for signs of infection, including fever, redness, warmth and tenderness.
Usually, no specific testing is necessary to diagnose lymphedema. But tests may be ordered if there is no obvious cause for your condition:
  • A blood count can look for a high level of white cells, which means you might have an infection.
  • An ultrasound can look for blood clots, which can cause an arm or leg to swell.
  • A computed tomography (CT) scan looks for a mass or tumor that could be blocking lymph vessels in the swollen arm or leg.
  • Lymphoscintigraphy procedure where radioactive dye is injected into the swollen limb. The substance then travels and is tracked until it reaches the lymphatic obstruction.
Once Lymphedema is diagnosed, your doctor may want to preform Complex Lymphedema Therapy (CLT).

Complex Lymphedema Therapy consists of the following lymphedema treatments:

  • Lymphatic drainage
  • Compression bandaging
  • Skin care
  • Patient-specific lymphedema physical therapy exercises
  • Exercise for lymphedema is also emerging as an important component of lymphedema treatment.
Follow-up appointments are necessary to keep an eye on the condition. for the first year after treatment, your doctor may schedule appointments every 3 months. After that the appointments will be scheduled every 6 months. Always contact your doctor if you see any changes or are concerned about anything, don’t wait till your next appointment to speak up.