Millions of people in the United States suffer from a condition known as Lymphedema. Locally, Kendall Regional Medical Center offers state-of-the-art care for patients suffering from this condition through its comprehensive Lymphedema Treatment Program.
“Our program is comprehensive, offering treatment, as well as educational and emotional support,” says Marina Maduro, the Rehabilitation Departments Assistant Director. “We offer the most advanced therapies and rehabilitation methods to help our patients manage their condition. In the end, we want to help them improve their overall quality of life.” Lymphedema is characterized by an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the arms or legs, although it can also occur in the face, neck, abdomen and lungs. There are two types of Lymphedema, inherited and acquired. About 1-2 million Americans have the inherited form of the disease, while 2-3 million suffer from Acquired Lymphedema. Acquired Lymphedema is usually due to an injury to the lymphatic system. Many cancer patients, such as those with breast, prostate, melanoma, kidney or gynecological cancers, often develop Lymphedema as a result of surgery or radiation. Those who have had blood vessel surgery or liposuction are also prone to develop the condition. Chronic Lymphedema can last for life and leaves patients with a vulnerability to infection from simple cuts or scrapes. If infection occurs often, it can lead to scarring and hardening of the tissue, or fibrosis. The Lymphedema Treatment Program incorporates a wide variety of specialists and therapists in order to offer the latest treatments. These specialists include: Lymphedema & Venous Disease Therapists, Physical Therapists, Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapists, and Wound Care Specialists. Kendall Regional also hosts a Lymphedema Support Group, which meets once a month to discuss the different treatment and therapies available, as well as the emotional elements involved with living with this condition.
