• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Course Login
  • Register

WoundEducators.com | Online Wound Care Certification Courses

Your online source for wound care certification.

  • Courses
  • About Us
    • Risk-Free Guarantee
    • Accredited Wound Care Course Info
    • Student Testimonials
    • Our Mission to Help
  • Why Certify?
    • What’s Included
    • How Hard is Wound Care Certification?
    • Wound Care Certification Cost
    • Wound Care Certification for Nurses
    • Getting Started: Wound Care Certification
  • Resources
    • Sign up for Our Newsletter
    • Search Wound Care Jobs
    • Post a Wound Care Job
    • Submit Your Resume
    • I Completed My Wound Care Course – Now What?
    • Wound Care Recertification Process
  • Certifications
    • Compare Wound Care Certification Options
    • ABWM® Wound Care Certifications
      • The CWS® Certification
      • The CWCA® Certification
      • The CWSP® Wound Care Certification
    • The WCC® Certification
    • The AWCC® Wound Care Certification
    • The CWCN® Certification
  • Blog
  • FAQ’s
  • Contact

Lymphedema – Summary

September 28, 2011 1 Comment

26
SHARES
ShareTweetGoogle +Linkedin
PinterestRedditTumblrStumbleuponDiggDelicious
Unilateral lymphedema

© 2007 AAWC

Lymphedema is a notoriously debilitating progressive condition with no known cure. The condition is cause by a defect in the lymphatic system, resulting in an abnormal collection of excess tissue proteins, edema, chronic inflammation and fibrosis. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 million patients in the United States suffer from lymphedema,1 and many report significant pain and a serious impact on quality of life.2

Lymphedema Predisposition

Lymphedema is usually the result of a trauma in the patient’s history, with previous cancer treatment being a major risk factor. Other major types of trauma, burns, a family history of lymphedema, and high body mass index may also predispose to the development of lymphedema.3 As the risk for lymphedema is lifelong, the onset may occur at the time of the initiation of treatment or be delayed, even for several decades.4 Primary lymphedema, which develops as a consequence of a pathologic congenital and/or hereditary etiology and not due to an initial trauma, is also known but is relatively rare.5

Irreversible Tissue Damage

Because no curative treatments exist for lymphedema, and because the condition causes irreversible tissue damage, it is ideally managed by prevention through monitoring of limb girth and volume and patient education.5,6

Lymphedema Treatment Goals

When lymphedema is diagnosed, the goal of treatment is to decrease the excess volume as much as possible and maintain the limb at its smallest size.5,6 The gold standard treatment for lymphedema is complete decongestive therapy (CDT)7 which involves four treatment components: skin and nail care, manual lymph drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, and therapeutic exercise.  A major component of CDT is the maintenance phase which consists of life-long self-care to maintain the size of the limb.

Lymphedema represents a major problem for a significant minority of the US population. Its treatment is currently not adequate and its progression is poorly understood. Further information about this difficult-to-manage condition can be gained through the pursuit of additional professional training, including studying for a certification in wound management.

Learn More With Our Wound Care Education Options

Interested in learning more about wound care and certification? Browse through our wound care certification courses for information on our comprehensive range of education options to suit healthcare professionals across the full spectrum of qualifications and experience.

References

  1. Zuther E. Pathology. In: Von Rohr M, ed. Lymphedema Management: The Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc; 2005:45-99.
  2. Moffat C, Franks P, Doherty D, et al. Lymphoedema: An Underestimated Health Problem. Q J Med 2003;96:731-738.
  3. Ridner SH, Dietrich MS, Stewart BR. Body mass index and breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. Support Care Cancer. 2011 Jun;19(6):853-7.
  4. Brennan MJ, Weitz J. Lymphedema 30 years after radical mastectomy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1992; 71: 12–14.
  5. Lawenda BD, Mondry TE, Johnstone PA. Lymphedema: a primer on the identification and management of a chronic condition in oncologic treatment. CA Cancer J Clin. 2009;59(1):8-24.
  6. Holcomb SS. Identification and Treatment of Different Types of Lymphedema Adv Skin Wound Care 2006;19:103-8.
  7. International Society of Lymphology. The diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lymphedema. Consensus document of the International Society of Lymphology. Lymphology 2003 Jun;36(2):84-91.

Categories: Lymphedema

About the Author

Laurie Swezey's avatar

Laurie Swezey, founder and president of WoundEducators.com, has been a Registered Nurse for more than a quarter century, with most of those years dedicated to wound treatment. Ms. Swezey is a Certified Wound Care Nurse and a Certified Wound Specialist.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    February 21, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    In my experience, physicians are very responsive when presented with solutions and factual information showing  “best practices” (i.e. articles, websites, etc.)  As nurses we need to be part of the solution and act as a resource for physicians when dealing with than many facets related to wound care, including wound pain.  

    The less pain academy sponsored by Molnlycke Health Care raises the awareness of dressing related pain and stress by providing latest research, therapies, protocols and best practice in wound care management, dressings, learning, healing:  http://www.molnlycke.com:19000/en/Home/

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

sidebar

Blog Sidebar

Free Preview!

Sign up for our newsletter and enjoy a Free Preview of our Wound Care Certification Course!

Wound Care Certification Courses

  • MA wound care certification course MA Wound Care Certification Course $797.00
  • wound care certification for can CNA Wound Care Certification Course $797.00
  • lpn wound care certification course for lvns cwca LPN - LVN Wound Care Certification $797.00
  • RN wound care certification course for RNs registered nurses RN Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • BSN Wound Care Certification course for nurses BSN Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • OT wound care certification course for occupational therapists OT Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • PT wound care certification course for physical therapists PT Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • Nurse Practitioner Wound Care Certification for NP Nurse Practitioner Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • Physician Assistant Wound Care Certification Course for PAs Physician Assistant Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • Physician Wound Care Certification Course for MDs Physician Wound Care Certification Course $897.00
  • sales and marketing wound care certification course Sales and Marketing Wound Certification Course $797.00
  • wound care certification training course introduction to wound management Introduction to Evidence-Based Wound Management Certificate Course $347.00

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up for our newsletter and enjoy a Free Preview of our Wound Care Certification Course!

Recent Posts

  • Wound Bed Preparation – TIME Mnemonic
  • Comparing the Cost of Wound Care Courses
  • Wound Educators Reveals Newly Updated Wound Certification Courses
  • Mistaking COVID-19 Symptoms as Pressure Injuries
  • How to Gather Safely for Memorial Day

Categories

  • Adjunctive Modalities
  • Skin Anatomy and Physiology
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Wound Assessment and Documentation
  • Wound Bed Preparation
  • Wound Care Careers
  • Wound Care Certification Exam Resources
  • Wound Certification Information
  • Wound Products
  • Wound Types
    • Arterial ulcers
    • Dermatological Conditions
    • Diabetic ulcers
    • Lymphedema
    • Miscellaneous Wounds
    • Pressure ulcers
    • Venous ulcers

Support Our “Where There’s a Wound, There’s a Way!™” Foundation

fundraiser logo

Join our “Where There’s a Wound, There’s a Way!™” fundraising campaign  Learn more

Footer

Payment Information

All major credit cards & PayPal accepted. All transactions are performed via a SSL secure server to ensure your privacy.

payments accepted visa mastercard amex discover paypal
Follow Us on Social Media
TwitterYoutubeFacebookLinkedinInstagram

Copyright © 2009-2018 | WoundEducators.com | All Rights Reserved
Wound Care Certification Courses Risk Free Guarantee | Terms and Policies | Sitemap