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Lymphostasis or lymphedema is a fairly common condition. Today, about 10% of the population has been diagnosed with lymphedema. Normally, lymph collects in the thoracic duct from all organs and tissues of the upper and lower extremities. In lymphostasis, the outflow is impaired due to various causes. Treatment in Germany for lymphostasis is aimed directly at the causes of the disease and not only at eliminating the symptoms.
Main manifestations
The symptoms of lymphostasis will depend on the severity of the disease. At the very initial or mild degree of severity, the appearance of swelling of the upper or lower extremities is noted. Most often they appear after exercise and closer to evening. Swelling may go away on its own after a short rest. At this stage, irreversible changes have not yet developed, so timely help can completely remove the symptoms of the disease.
The severity of the pathology of the middle degree is manifested by swelling of a large volume, which passes only with special therapeutic measures. In the future, connective tissue begins to grow, the skin in the area of edema thickens. With increasing edema, the skin begins to stretch and subsequently crack. Painful sensations appear in the lower extremities, there may also be cramps.
If the process continues or treatment of lymphostasis is not carried out, irreversible processes develop. The patient develops elephantiasis and fibrotic, cystic changes in the surrounding tissues. At the same time, the arm or leg can not normally perform its function, it is completely deformed. At this stage, the process can affect the joints of the hands and feet and cause deforming osteoarthritis. In addition, when the skin is stretched, its properties are changed, it receives little nutrients. All this leads to trophic ulcers and eczema.
If left untreated, lymphostasis can go so far that it can lead to infection, which can be fatal. In addition, if the disease is prolonged, lymphosarcoma may develop.
Diagnostic measures for lymphostasis
If the patient has swelling, he will consult a surgeon. The doctor will first of all interview the patient, which will give him already some grounds for the diagnosis of lymphostasis. Many disorders in the human body can be the cause of the development of the disease. These include:
- vascular and cardiac pathology
- upper and lower extremity vein disease
- varicose veins of the lower limbs
- condition after mastectomy for breast cancer (at this point, removal of the entire group of lymph nodes is not performed, resection of signal nodes is performed)
- tumors, inflammatory processes and other conditions.
If swelling of the extremities appears, the patient should consult a vascular surgeon. To diagnose lymphostasis, the doctor will first of all prescribe an ultrasound examination, which will determine the pathology of the abdominal cavity and pelvic vessels. If the upper extremities are affected — chest X-ray. In addition, to exclude other pathologies of the body, it is necessary to perform blood and urine analysis.
In German clinics, the following methods are performed to determine the exact localization of the process: lymphography, lymphoscintigraphy followed by CT and MRI. In this study, lymphatic vessels are contrasted in order to see various anatomical features (tortuosity), as well as to identify blocked areas or pathology. In addition, the method allows you to determine the rate of lymph flow. No special preparation is required for this study and it can be performed on an outpatient basis.
In some cases, the condition must be differentiated with vascular pathology. Then ultrasound examination of veins and arteries of the lower extremities is performed.
Treatment
The main direction in the therapy of lymphostasis is to restore adequate lymphatic circulation. With mild and moderate severity of the disease, lymphatic drainage massage with pneumocompression is performed. In addition, such patients need to undergo a course of physiotherapy: laser therapy, hydromassage and other procedures. During the recovery period, compression underwear should be worn, which should be selected by a specialist.
Also, if the patient’s condition allows, it is required to perform physical exercises, swimming, Nordic walking. In addition, it is necessary to reduce salt intake.
Most often, in addition to non-medication methods, various drugs are used. Usually these are phlebotonics, angioprotectors and immunostimulants. If ulcers appear, treatment is carried out by a surgeon, in the form of daily dressings.
If the current treatment does not help, or the swelling is large enough to form trophic ulcers, surgical intervention is required. In this case, lymphovenous anastomoses are created, connections between healthy lymph vessels and veins. Then the outflow of lymph goes through artificial pathways, which alleviates the patient’s condition. In addition, liposuction and dermatofasciolipectomy are performed. These interventions are aimed at reducing the volume of edematous tissues, reducing the area of skin lesions, as well as removing scar tissue. The amount of surgery depends on the type of lymphedema, on the patient’s condition, on the concomitant pathology.
It is extremely important to take measures to prevent the disease or worsening of the condition. It is necessary to carefully monitor the skin of hands and feet, observe the dynamics of any wounds. In addition, in the presence of concomitant pathology, it should be corrected. So it is necessary to conduct therapy for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, as well as venous vessels of the extremities.
German clinics use a rather innovative method — cryotherapy. This modern method of lymphostasis treatment allows painless removal of affected lymph nodes. During this procedure, the affected areas of skin and subcutaneous tissue are cooled by dry atmospheric air with a temperature of minus 30 to minus 120 C. This procedure is also called air cryotherapy. This procedure is also called air cryotherapy. Locally and quickly the temperature is reduced by 20 degrees Celsius. This method:
- painless
- safe
- brief (a few minutes)
This method allows you to reduce pain sensations, reduces swelling, muscle spasm. In addition, with several treatments, recovery processes are triggered. With other modes there is an increase in muscle tone, skin tone. During a course of procedures, there is an equalization of the surface of the limb. The technique can be carried out in different modes: massage movements, pressing movements, movements from the periphery to the center.
Cost of lymphostasis treatment and choice of clinic
The cost of diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment regimen for lymphostasis depends on many factors. An approximate price is given below. Many clinics in Germany provide treatment for lymphostasis.
Diagnostic tests — from 350 Euros
Surgical formation of anastomosis between vessels — from 2700 Euros
Aspiration removal of excess adipose tissue — from 2700 Euros
General rehabilitation — from 300 Euros per day
For more than 10 years, a team led by Maxim Rykov has been working to help each patient find a doctor and a clinic that will take care of your case. Maxim Rykov speaks German and English, which allows him to communicate directly with specialists without intermediaries.
Lymphostasis is considered a chronic disease accompanied by impaired lymph flow. Treatment in German clinics gives positive results and helps the patient to stay in remission for a long time.