Lymphedema Products

Signs & Symptoms

Luna Medical > About Lymphedema > Signs & Symptoms

All patients who undergo lymph node dissection or radiation of the lymph nodes are at risk of developing lymphedema. Regeneration of the lymphatics does not occur so the risk is for life. Lymphedema can occur as soon as 3 months or as late as 30 years after surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Limb heaviness in the affected extremity(ies) is the most common symptom of lymphedema. Even though an unusual amount of swelling may not be visibly evident, the abundance of fluid that lies within the tissues of the arm(s) or leg(s) can be compared to that of a wet sponge.

Other signs of lymphedema include “pitting” edema. This is evident when the skin is depressed with your finger for a few seconds and the indentation does not immediately disappear. Patients may also experience tightness of the skin and notice that jewelry and clothing feel tighter in the affected extremity(ies).

The accumulation of this stagnant, protein rich fluid creates a high degree of discomfort and immobility for the patient, and provides a rich culture medium for bacterial growth. Lymphedema makes patients more prone to cellulitis or lymphangitis infections and with each infection, the lymphedema can get progressively worse.

Lymphedema manifests itself with the following signs and symptoms:

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE INFLUX OF MEDICARE & MEDICARE REPLACEMENT PLAN BENEFIT VERIFICATION REQUESTS WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INCREDIBLY HIGHER THAN NORMAL VOLUME IN FAXES, EMAILS & PHONE CALLS. WE CHECK BENEFITS ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT AS OF RIGHT NOW, IT COULD TAKE UP TO 7 BUSINESS DAYS FOR VERIFICATION REQUESTS TO BE ANSWERED. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT IDEAL NOR WHAT YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO WHEN IT COMES TO LUNA MEDICAL’S SERVICES, WE HAVE HIRED MORE STAFF TO HELP AND THIS IS JUST A TRANSITION PERIOD. PLEASE ALLOW THE TIME FOR THE BENEFIT VERIFICATIONS—IT MAY NOT ALWAYS TAKE THAT LONG BUT IT WILL NEVER TAKE LONGER. NO NEED TO CALL REPEATEDLY AND LEAVE SEVERAL MESSAGES AS IT WILL DELAY THE PROCESS. WE UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING IS URGENT RIGHT NOW AND TRUST US—WE WANT TO HELP! THANK YOU AND WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.