Lymphedema Treatment.

An important aspect of the management of lymphedema is patient understanding that there is no cure for lymphedema.
The primary goals of treatment are to minimize swelling and to prevent recurrent infections.
Controlling the chronic limb swelling can improve discomfort, heaviness, and tightness, and potentially reduce the progression of disease.

Graded compression stockings are widely used in the treatment of lymphedema.

The stockings reduce the amount of swelling in the involved extremity by preventing the accumulation of edema while the extremity is dependent.

When worn daily, compression stockings have been associated with long-term maintenance of reduced limb circumference.

They may also protect the tissues against chronically elevated intrinsic pressures, which lead to thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Compression stockings also offer a degree of protection against external trauma.