| Combined physical therapy for lymphedema evaluated by fluorescence microlymphography and lymph capillary pressure measurements. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 9256091 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
The treatment of patients with lymphedema is still controversial. Combined physical therapy with manual lymph drainage and compression therapy is most frequently used to reduce lymphatic leg swelling. However, objective evidence is rare that this empirical form of treatment has a scientific basis. In a prospective study fluorescence microlymphography and pressure measurements in cutaneous lymph capillaries were used to assess objectively the effect of combined decongestive physical therapy on abnormal microlymphatic dynamics in lymphedema. 12 patients with primary and secondary lymphedema were studied before treatment, after 2 weeks of intensive physical therapy and 3 months of continuing compression and ergotherapy. After 2 weeks of intensive manual lymph drainage and compression bandaging (phase 1) microlymphatic hypertension (12.8 +/- 5.7 mm Hg) was significantly (p = 0.01) reduced to a mean lymph capillary pressure of 5.9 +/- 4.5 mm Hg. More than 3 months later after continuing compression lymph capillary pressure (3.2 +/- 5.2 mm Hg) was still significantly (p = 0.03) reduced. Simultaneously the maximum spread of the fluorescent contrast medium in the superficial lymph capillary network decreased significantly (p = 0.01) from 21.3 +/- 14.3 to 11.3 +/- 4.8 mm. Accordingly the clinical condition improved, and the mean circumferences of the forefoot and ankle were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. Combined decongestive physical therapy is an effective treatment for lymphedema which results in a normalization of microlymphatic hypertension and an improvement of the clinical appearance. |
| | |
Authors:
|
U K Franzeck; I Spiegel; M Fischer; C Börtzler; H U Stahel; A Bollinger |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Journal of vascular research Volume: 34 ISSN: 1018-1172 ISO Abbreviation: J. Vasc. Res. Publication Date: 1997 Jul-Aug |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 1997-09-03 Completed Date: 1997-09-03 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9206092 Medline TA: J Vasc Res Country: SWITZERLAND |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 306-11 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Adult Aged Female Humans Hydrostatic Pressure Leg Lymphedema / physiopathology, rehabilitation* Male Middle Aged Physical Therapy Modalities |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: The wall to lumen ratio of the radial artery in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.
Next Document: Influence of hypoxia/ischemia on cerebrovascular responses to oxytocin in piglets.