Lymphostasis of the arm

Lymphostasis of the arm is a serious disease that causes persistent swelling. Let's look at the causes of the disease, treatment methods and preventive measures that will help get rid of lymphostasis.

Lymphostasis is a persistent swelling of tissues that occurs due to disturbances in the outflow of lymph, i.e. tissue fluid. As a rule, lymphostasis affects the lower extremities.

There are several factors that can be a direct cause of lymphostasis:

• Surgical procedures in which lymph nodes were removed.
• Erysipelas.
• Problems with lymphatic and venous vessels.

There are several stages of lymphostasis, each stage has its own symptoms and characteristics. The last stage of lymphostasis is elephantiasis or elephantiasis. This condition is characterized by a strong increase and thickening of the limbs, as well as trophic disorders of the subcutaneous tissue and skin, and as a result - disability of the patient.

Swelling, which becomes the main symptom of lymphostasis, appears due to a minor inflammatory process. For example, after a bruise, there may be swelling of soft tissues, this occurs due to the influx of lymphatic fluid.

After some time, the swelling goes away, for this purpose compresses, injections and medications are used. But there are disorders that are associated with the functioning of the lymphatic system and then any bruise can lead to disruptions in the outflow of lymph. With lymphostasis of the hand, patients experience chronic swelling, which significantly disrupts the structure of the skin. It thickens the upper layer, on which ulcers subsequently form, and elephantiasis progresses.

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Causes of lymphedema of the arm

The causes of arm lymphostasis are based on injuries and damage to the lymphatic system. Typically, these are burns, bruises, surgeries, fractures, sprains or dislocations. Also, the causes of arm lymphostasis include:

• Benign and malignant tumors of the lymphatic system.
• Injuries in which lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels were damaged.
• Parasitic or staphylococcal infections.
• Radiation therapy for cancer.
• Operations that involved damage to the lymphatic system.

Depending on the cause and type of damage to the lymphatic system, there are two types of lymphostasis: primary and secondary.

Causes of primary lymphostasis of the arm - anomaly of the lymphatic system and vessels, usually congenital. The disease cannot be identified in the first years of life, it begins to manifest itself during puberty.

The causes of secondary lymphostasis of the arm are not congenital and can be acquired by any healthy person. These include: tumors in the lymphatic system, injuries, chronic diseases, a sedentary lifestyle (this applies to bedridden patients), erysipelas of the arms, chest surgery, obesity.

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Lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy

Mastectomy is the removal of the breast due to a malignant tumor. When removing the breast, the lymph nodes under the arm may be removed. This leads to a violation of the outflow of lymphatic fluid, that is, to lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy. If, during mastectomy, irradiation of the lymph nodes located in the armpits is carried out, then this also becomes a cause of lymphostasis.

Due to impaired lymph drainage, i.e. damage to the drainage and lymph nodes, persistent and severe swelling of the arm occurs. If the swelling goes away a couple of months after a mastectomy, then we are talking about postmastectomy lymphostasis. If the swelling that appears does not go away and is not treatable, then we are talking about lymphedema. Lymphostasis does not appear in every woman who has had a mastectomy, but if it does appear, it can accompany her throughout her life or go away after months or even years of fighting the disease.

The danger of arm lymphostasis after mastectomy is that swelling can cause deformation of the arm and is often accompanied by inflammatory processes. Postmastectomy lymphoses cause a lot of inconvenience to patients and become the cause of stressful situations and depression during the treatment period.

If arm lymphostasis after mastectomy appears in the first year of treatment, then, as a rule, it is not dangerous and can be treated. The swelling is mild, but is accompanied by a bursting, aching pain and heaviness in the arm, all this causes a lot of inconvenience. If you do not start treating arm lymphostasis after mastectomy in time, the disease will progress to the stage of severe dense lymphostasis, the treatment of which is a longer and more painstaking process.

Why does lymphostasis occur after mastectomy?

During a mastectomy, not only the breast is removed, but also the lymphatic vessels and nodes that received and gave lymph from the mammary glands. After the breast and lymph nodes are removed, a malfunction occurs in the body.

• The size of the lymph nodes removed may vary, depending on the stage and shape of the tumor and its location. In very severe cases, it is possible to remove the small pectoral muscle and level 3 lymph nodes.
• The lymph nodes are removed because there is a possibility that cancer cells are located in the lymphatic system. And if they are removed, then in the future, a relapse of cancer can be avoided.
• It is possible to determine if there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes only after their removal. The oncologist conducts histological examinations of the removed lymph nodes and mammary gland.
• Lymphostasis after mastectomy occurs due to a malfunction in the body. After the lymph nodes have been removed, the body does not stop sending lymph, but all of it accumulates in the shoulder and arm area.

It is impossible to predict the outcome of the operation in advance. There are cases when lymphostasis does not occur after complete removal of lymph nodes and muscle tissue during mastectomy. But it also happens the other way around, when the slightest intervention in the lymphatic system causes severe lymphostasis of the arm.

Symptoms of lymphedema of the arm

Symptoms of arm lymphostasis depend on the stage of lymphostasis development. Let's look at the stages of the disease and the symptoms that accompany it.

First stage:

• Mild swelling on the arm that appears towards evening and goes away after sleep, that is, in the morning.
• Swelling appears constantly, but at this stage patients rarely seek medical help.
• At the first stage, connective tissue growths have not yet begun, so by seeking medical help, you can prevent further development of lymphostasis.

Second stage:

• Irreversible swelling appears on the arm.
• Connective tissues grow and the skin on the hand hardens.
• Due to swelling, the skin on the hand is swollen and tight, which causes pain in the hand.
• As a rule, it is at this stage that patients seek medical help.
• Treatment is possible, but requires full compliance with recommendations and a lot of effort.

Third stage:

• The disease becomes irreversible
• All the symptoms described in the first and second stages intensify.
• Wounds and cysts appear on the hand.
• The fingers become deformed, which means lymphostasis of the limbs appears.
• The arm becomes immobile due to the development of elephantiasis.
• Eczema, ulcers or erysipelas may also occur.

Symptoms of arm lymphostasis depend entirely on the stage of the disease. With each stage, the symptoms become dangerous and irreversible and entail a host of complications, and in very severe cases, death is possible.

Diagnosis of lymphostasis of the arm

Diagnosis of arm lymphostasis begins with studying the symptoms of the disease and conducting a full examination of the arm. When diagnosing, it is necessary to do a biochemical blood and urine test and a clinical analysis. It is necessary to consult a vascular surgeon and conduct a full examination of the chest cavity, pelvis, peritoneum, veins and extremities. In order to finally confirm the diagnosis - lymphostasis, and find out the reasons for its occurrence, lymphography of the lymphatic system and lymphatic vessels is performed.

• At the first signs of arm lymphostasis, that is, when swelling appears, you should immediately contact a vascular surgeon, lymphologist or phlebologist. The doctor will be able to reliably determine the cause of the swelling, and in the case of progressive lymphosis, prescribe a set of tests and ultrasound.
• When diagnosing arm lymphostasis and studying vascular patency, a lymphoscintrigraph, in other words, X-ray lymphography, is used. This technique allows you to observe changes in the lymphatic system and find places of vascular blockage.
• Lymphostasis of the arm can be confused with deep vein thrombosis or postphlebitic syndrome. In all cases, varicose veins, soft swelling, unilateral lymphedema and hyperpigmentation are observed. In order to accurately diagnose lymphostasis of the arm, ultrasound DWG of the extremities and veins is performed.

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Treatment of lymphostasis of the arm

Treatment of arm lymphostasis depends on the stage of the disease. Arm lymphostasis is a strong, in some cases irreversible swelling that occurs due to damaged lymphatic system and lymph nodes. Swelling of the arm can also appear due to an inflammatory process, after a bruise or blow. Swelling occurs due to the influx of lymph to the affected area.

As a rule, swelling goes away on its own, but in the case of lymphostasis edema, you can get rid of the swelling only with the help of medications and only in the early stages of the disease. But lymphostasis can be caused not only by a bruise or a burn, but also by a disease of the lymphatic system, which is characterized by impaired lymph drainage.

Treatment of arm lymphostasis is completely aimed at stopping swelling and returning the arm to a normal state, without complications. The speed and effectiveness of treatment depend on timely seeking medical help and diagnosis of lymphostasis. The course of treatment involves full compliance with all rules and recommendations, which include therapy, drug treatment and the patient's desire. Arm lymphostasis is usually treated with conservative methods, which are aimed at creating all the conditions that will help cleanse the lymphatic vessels and bring the lymphatic pathways and nodes to a normal working state.

Treatment of arm lymphostasis consists of:

• Complex drug therapy.
• Using manual lymphatic drainage, which helps to drain lymph from the affected area.
• Care of the affected hand, use of ointments and creams.
• Selection of special compression bandages and underwear.
• A complex of therapeutic exercises and massage.

In some cases, pneumomassage or lymphopress is used to treat arm lymphostasis. The procedure is carried out under strict medical supervision. Also, laser therapy and electromagnetic stimulation are used to treat lymphostasis, which have a positive effect on the lymphatic system. Advanced lymphostasis, that is, arm lymphostasis in its final stages, is practically untreatable. In the final stages of the disease, osteopathic visceral techniques are used as treatment, which reduce swelling and improve the inflow and outflow of lymph.

Treatment of lymphedema of the arm after mastectomy

Treatment of arm lymphostasis after mastectomy begins after the stage of lymphostasis development is determined. Lymphostasis after mastectomy can be dense and soft. Soft lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy is a reversible swelling that can be treated and can occur within a year after surgery. If soft lymphostasis is not cured, it develops into an irreversible form of the disease - dense lymphostasis.

Dense lymphostasis of the arm is directly related to scars that form in the lymph nodes after undergoing a course of radiation therapy, which is used to treat mastectomy. Many doctors claim that the appearance of dense lymphostasis of the arm after mastectomy is the first sign that cancer cells have not gone away, that is, a relapse of oncology is possible.

In the process of treating lymphostasis, it is very important to restore the outflow of lymph. For this, collaterals are connected, which ensure normal blood circulation and lymph outflow. Another method of treatment is therapeutic exercise. A set of therapeutic exercises is recommended to begin a week after mastectomy. This kind of rehabilitation should be carried out at all stages of arm lymphostasis. In the first days after removal of the mammary gland, it is very difficult to do therapeutic exercises, since the body hurts and the arms do not obey. But the sooner you start therapeutic exercises, the more likely it is to avoid the appearance of lymphostasis. Physical exercises will improve the outflow of lymph, increase the elasticity of the tissues of the shoulder and arm, and help eliminate spasms that occur in the muscles.

It would not be superfluous to visit the pool and undergo a course of treatment using a compression sleeve, which helps stimulate lymph flow. Please note that the main treatment for arm lymphostasis after mastectomy is special gymnastics, massages and physical education, and only then drug treatment.

Hand massage for lymphostasis

Hand massage for lymphostasis can be done by the patient himself or by any person who knows the skills and nuances of therapeutic massage. As a rule, during mastectomy and lymphostasis, when discharged from the hospital, the patient and one of the family members are instructed regarding hand massage and the technique of its implementation.

Let's look at options for hand massage for lymphostasis:

• Raise the arm that has swelling or the arm on the side where the mastectomy was. Rest your hand on a vertical surface. With the other hand, gently massage and stroke the sore arm. This should be done from the fingers to the shoulder and from the elbow to the shoulder, but not along the entire arm. Sometimes, medicinal ointments and creams are used for this type of massage.
• It is necessary to massage the hand from all sides. Carefully work the sides of the hand, the inner and outer. Massage movements should be soft, slow, there should be a slight pressure on the subcutaneous tissue. But this does not mean that the hand should be squeezed hard. You should not feel discomfort or pain during the massage.

The duration of one massage procedure is about 5 minutes. It is recommended to do the massage every 2-3 hours, depending on the stage of lymphostasis and the type of edema.

Treatment of lymphostasis of the hand with folk remedies

Treatment of arm lymphostasis with folk remedies is a treatment that has developed over many years. That is, we can say with confidence that folk methods of treatment are a proven panacea for arm lymphostasis. Let's look at the most effective recipes that are used in the treatment of lymphostasis with folk remedies.

Treatment with plantain

• 2 tablespoons dry plantain leaves
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 1 teaspoon honey

Pour boiling water over the plantain leaves overnight and let it brew. Strain the decoction in the morning. Take 30 minutes before meals. Before drinking the decoction, eat a spoonful of honey, this enhances the healing effect of the tincture. It is recommended to drink the decoction for two months.

Tar treatment

• 1 tablespoon of tar
• 1 head of onion
• honey

The onion must be baked in the oven, and the onion must be baked in the husk. After the onion is baked, it must be peeled and mixed with tar. Spread the resulting mixture on a thick layer of gauze bandage and apply to the lymphostasis on the arm overnight. In the morning, remove the bandage, wipe the arm with warm water and do a light massage. Traditional medicine recommends taking honey before applying the compress and after removing it. Honey actively fights lymphostasis of the arm, accelerates and enhances the effect of other treatments. It is recommended to repeat the procedure within a month or two.

Treatment with garlic

• 250 grams of chopped fresh garlic
• 350 grams of liquid honey

The ingredients must be mixed and infused for one week. The mixture should be taken one tablespoon an hour before meals, the course of treatment is 60 days.

Treatment of arm lymphostasis with folk remedies involves taking tinctures and lotions to the affected arm from herbs and plants that contain vitamin C and P. These vitamins help to thin the lymph and improve its outflow and inflow through the lymphatic system. Drink pomegranate juice, currant, cranberry and rosehip decoctions. Eat fruits and drink red juices, as they contain a lot of vitamin P: grapes, beetroot juice, currants, rowan.

Gymnastics for lymphostasis of the arm

Gymnastics for arm lymphostasis is a mandatory therapy, without which full treatment is simply impossible. We offer you a set of therapeutic gymnastics that is recommended for arm lymphostasis. Each exercise must be done in five approaches of ten times - this is the optimal physical activity that will help improve lymph flow and relieve pain in the arm.

• Place your hands on your knees so that your palms are facing down, try to keep your elbows straight. Slowly turn your palms over, from the back to the outside. Note that your fingers should be as relaxed as possible.
• Place your hands behind your back and clasp them together. Your arms should be bent at the elbows and your palms should be pressed to your back. Slowly pull your palms toward your shoulder blades.
• Place your hands on your knees, elbows straight, and alternately clench and unclench your fists.
• Raise your hand up, hold it in front of you, and slowly lower it. Observe the breathing technique, inhale and exhale slowly.
• Clasp your hands behind your back with your elbows straight. Move your arms up so that your shoulder blades are pulled together.
• Place your hands on your shoulders and slowly lower and raise them.
• Place your hands on your shoulders and make circular movements with your arms and shoulders, forward and backward.
• Stand up, bend your body and lower your sore arm. Relax your arm completely and swing it from side to side and back and forth.
• Raise your sore arm up and hold this position for a couple of seconds, then move your arm to the side and hold again.

In addition to gymnastics, preventive measures are very important for the treatment and prevention of lymphostasis.

• With lymphostasis of the arm, it is very important to follow the rules of hygiene and regularly care for the affected limb. Remove nails and calluses, disinfect the instruments used to minimize the penetration of infection into the lymph.
• Avoid injuries, burns, scratches and any kind of damage. Try not to overheat, as this will only increase lymphatic edema.
• Lead an active lifestyle, as sitting in one place or lying down can cause stagnation of lymph in the body and only complicate the disease.
• Use various nourishing and moisturizing creams, this will protect your hand from cracks and dryness.
• Stick to a diet and nutritional rules; this is an important part of the comprehensive treatment of arm lymphostasis.

Lymphostasis of the arm does not make a person disabled. Lymphostasis does not prevent you from doing your daily routine and leading an active lifestyle. Be patient and follow all the rules of treatment, nutrition and gymnastics, and you will be able to cure lymphostasis of the arm.