How to Care and Minimize the Sequelae of Lower Extremity Lymphedema.

Semin Oncol Nurs

Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Published: June 2022

Objective: The objective of this review is to provide information regarding the care of patients with lower extremity lymphedema in the setting of urologic cancer.

Data Sources: Literature regarding lower extremity lymphedema was examined. Relevant information was integrated to create a review of the pathophysiology, management, and potential complications of lower extremity lymphedema.

Conclusion: Lower lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating condition with no definitive cure. It may affect patients undergoing treatment for malignancies, especially those undergoing lymph node removal. Management of this condition is multimodal, and complex decongestive therapy is currently the gold standard. For patients who do not respond to this management, surgical options exist. More research should be done in understanding the prevalence and management of lower extremity lymphedema in patients suffering from urologic cancers because this is underdeveloped research.

Implications For Nursing Practice: To care for patients with lower extremity lymphedema postoperatively, a multimodal approach is warranted. Different techniques include complex decongestive therapy, intermittent pneumatic compression, physical therapy, skin care, patient education, social support, and, in some cases, surgery.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2022.151270DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

lower extremity
24
extremity lymphedema
20
care patients
8
patients lower
8
complex decongestive
8
decongestive therapy
8
lower
7
extremity
6
lymphedema
6
patients
5

Similar Publications

Purpose: Angioplasty of lower extremity arteries with calcification may result in flow-limiting dissection requiring bail-out stenting with unfavorable long-term outcomes. Vessel preparation prior to angioplasty may improve immediate results of the angioplasty and long-term patency. This prospective study assessed the 12-month outcomes of patients who underwent novel vessel preparation catheter, the FLEX Vessel Prep™ System (FLEX VP), prior to drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCB-PTA).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common disorder affecting the lower extremity. This study aimed to compare the effects of functional strength training (FST) and standard strength training (SST) in PFPS patients.

Methods: Forty college students (aged 18-30 years) with PFPS and no exercise habits were randomized into FST group (n = 20) and SST group (n = 20).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Giant sacral and presacral schwannomas are very rare conditions and their prevalence is estimated to account for only 0.3 to 3.3% of overall schwannomas.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Surgery is often the treatment of choice for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with severe leg pain. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Condoliase chemonucleolysis (CC) in patients who were nonambulatory because of severe leg pain. A total of 58 patients who underwent CC for conservative treatment-resistant LDH were included in this study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ankle push-off is important for efficient, human-like walking, and many prosthetic devices mimic push-off using motors or elastic elements. The knee is extended throughout the stance phase and begins to buckle just before push-off, with timing being crucial. However, the exact mechanisms behind this buckling are still unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!