Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy

The treatment of Lymphedema and Lipedema

Lymphedema does not cure itself. Should it remain untreated, the severity of the illness will progress and extreme swelling of the extremities affected can be the result. Only long-term treatment will make the disease to some extent tolerable for the patient. It is the objective of therapy to reverse edema to a less serious stage. The earlier therapy begins, the more successful it can be. Thus stage I lymphedema can often, by keeping to different therapeutic components, be reversed to stage 0. But even if started later, usually a clear improvement in the patient´s condition can be achieved.

At the centre of the treatment of lymphedema is Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP), which is also used in the treatment of lipedema patients. It brings about a reduction in water retention (edema) typical of the disease and thus leads to both a reduction in size and a reduction in edema-related sensitivity to pressure, tension and touch.

Afflicted persons are freed from pain through treatment, especially through therapy with flat-knitted made-to-measure medical compression stockings. The fat deposits, however, often cannot be reversed by means of CDP. To remove these deposits and thus improve body shape, some patients undergo surgical adipectomy (liposuction).

Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP)

Here the interplay of several therapeutic measures is essential, which are combined under the concept of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP).

Phase I:

This phase serves to relieve and reverse swelling – the so-called decongestion phase.
Depending on the degree of severity, phase I can last several weeks or even considerably longer.
The patient can undergo treatment as an out-patient or an in-patient. This also depends on which stage of lymphedema the patient was suffering from when the treatment was started.

Phase II:

The so-called control phase ensures that the decongested condition of the affected extremity is maintained and continues to be optimised. This phase is usually carried out for life. If the therapy is interrupted, this will again result in an increase in edema.

In both phases of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP), five therapeutic components are deployed:

• Manual lymph drainage
• Compression therapy
• Hygiene/Skin care
• Gymnastics/motion exercises
• Self-management and clarification

Manual lymph drainage (ML)

Manual lymph drainage is not to be compared with a traditional massage. It facilitates the transport of the congested lymph through the lymphatic vessels. The application of certain massage techniques stimulates the pulsation of the walls of the lymphatic vessels. In doing so, it is important that not only the affected extremities are treated but also the supplying and returning lymphatic pathways, as the edema is otherwise only shifted. The massage helps increase the flow of lymph in the lymphatic vessels that still function.

Manual lymph drainage always begins in the area of the neck and in the upper quarter of the body, which produces a suction effect on the lower lymphatic vessels. The therapist then shifts edema fluid from edema-rich to edema-poor areas, pushes it into lymphatic vessels, and softens the hardened connective tissue. In phase I, manual lymph drainage is carried out once or twice a day and can in phase II be reduced to once or twice a week.

Compression Therapy

Besides manual lymph drainage, compression therapy is perhaps the most important part of the two phases. The external pressure on tissue applied by compression stockings supports the backflow of lymph from tissue into the lymphatic vessels and veins. Compression therapy is a crucial contributory factor in reducing edema and provides effective prevention against renewed swelling.

A guiding principle in the treatment of lymphedema patients is therefore: No manual lymph drainage without compression therapy!

During the decongestion stage, short stretch bandages are used for compression purposes which must be applied immediately following manual lymph drainage to prevent the backflow of lymph fluid into the decongested extremity. Compression bandages have the advantage that they can be continuously adapted to the daily changing dimensions of legs or arms.
Bandaging requires a special wrapping technique. The short stretch bandages provide the muscles with firm resistance and aid the drainage of lymph when moving. To avoid causing the patient damage or pain due to bruising or constriction, a trained physician or therapist should apply the compression bandage.

During the control phase, medical compression stockings instead of compression bandages are used. They help to maintain the decongestion result on a permanent basis, prevent reedematization, and prevent the further development of an edema. In comparison to compression bandages, compression stockings are easier to manage. The patient can change them themselves and they are more pleasant to wear. In the case of lymphedema patients, the dimensions of afflicted extremities can fluctuate wildly. That's why stockings are exclusively manufactured as individual flat-knitted made-to-measure products. Flat-knitted compression stockings have a number of advantages over round-knitted stockings, which make them essential in the treatment of lymphedema patients.

The proper care of extremity lymphostatic edema with compression stockings is essential for successful long-term therapy. To meet all individual requirements, flat knitted compression stockings are available in a vast range of different designs (Stocking, pantyhose, with or without toe, gloves, arm sleeves etc.) The compression applied and the design depend on the severity and the location of the lymphedema, as well as the age of the patient.

Self-management and clarification

Self-management is seen as an important component that leads to success in therapy and is consequently the connecting component of all CDP building blocks.

To achieve the desired therapeutic success and also maintain this success on a permanent basis, it is important to carry out Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy with strict determination. But as the name already suggests, it is a complex and time-consuming therapy. Moreover, it is a permanent cycle—the chronic disease demands lifelong treatment and therefore much discipline and motivation.

So as not to lose courage in the face of setbacks, it can be helpful if one has a clear understanding of the therapy’s background and the effectiveness of individual building blocks and can thus judge their importance for success correctly. For this purpose, patients must be informed and the reasons for each step of the therapy explained. In addition, it seems to make sense to train patients in certain techniques such as skin care, bandaging or decongestive exercises, besides purely communicating knowledge about edema.

A responsible and informed patient is able to organize their therapy better and integrate it into daily life. They learn to interpret warning signals and know which measures can be taken independently or where to ask for advice.