Faulkner Hospital has three therapists who are certified in lymphedema care. Treatment begins with a thorough assessment of the patient including medical and surgical history, range of motion, strength, limb girth measurements, and functional limitations.

Photographs of the affected area are sometimes taken before and after treatment. Based on the therapist's assessment and the referring practitioner's recommendations, an individualized treatment plan will be developed to include the following:

Education about risk factors, risk reduction strategies, and skin care.

Manual Lymph Drainage - a series of massage techniques that enhance the reabsorbtion of the lymph fluid to healthy lymph vessels.

Exercise to increase the reabsorption of lymph fluid through use of muscle pumping action.

Compressive bandaging for the extremity with low stretch bandages to aid in reabsorption and prevent refilling of the limb.

Home management education including a referral for an appropriate compression garment for maintenance, if indicated.

A patient's course and length of treatment is based on their clinical condition. In more cases, patients are seen two to three times per week for four to six weeks. During this time, the edema usually can be reduced and the patient can learn how to manage their condition. The goal of our treatment program is not only to reduce edema but also to educate the patient to manage their condition independently.

Quick Facts

The Lymphedema Program at Faulkner Hospital has been treating patients with lymphedema since 1998. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is employed to reduce and manage edema through:

Manual Lymph Drainage
Compression Therapy
Exercise
Skin Care

This Treatment allows patients with mild, moderate or sever edema to decrease their risk of infection and increase their overall comfort and quality of life.

What types of lymphedema do we treat?

The Faulkner Hospital program provides treatment for both types of lymphedema:

Primary lymphedemas are those cases in which the cause is unknown, and may be the result of a congenital defect. These are more common in women and most frequently occur in the lower extremities.

Secondary lymphedemas are caused by an injury to the lymphatic system and are more common that primary lymphedemas. Causes of secondary lymphedemas include surgery, lymph node removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, trauma, chronic venous insufficiency, repeated infections in a limb, post-operative infection, cancer and parasitic attack.

Referring a Patient

One of the Faulkner program's greatest strengths is close communication with referring practitioners throughout the course of a patient's treatment. We strive to accommodate the needs of patients who may be undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments and maintain a close relationship with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Breast, general, orthopedic and vascular surgeons, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants frequently refer patients to the Lymphedema Program at Faulkner Hospital.

To refer a patient or for more information, please call 617-983-7271.

Most major health insurance providers will cover the cost of treatment.

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