Lymphedema

Question 1

what are the stages of lymphedema

Answer 1

stage 0: no signs of swelling, this is the precursor stage where there are definitely issues with the lymphatic system
stage 1: this is the reversible stage where there is pitting edema but the edema diminishes with elevation. (-) stemmer sign
stage 2: spontaneous irreversible. “Brawny” You begin to get non-pitting edema so a positive stemmer sign. You also being to get some fibrotic skin changes here. The skin becomes hard to palpation.
Stage 3: elephantiasis stage, this is where the edema is non-pitting (+) stemmer sign and you get pigmentation and more fibrotic changes. Fibrotic deep skin folds. Skin mobility changes here and you get kerotinitis things too.there will be papillomas, deep skin folds, watery protrusions, and hyperkeratosis.

Question 2

what is lipedema

Answer 2

fat deposits that are typically bilateral and there is typically (-) stemmer sign. Usually in pregnant women.

Question 3

lymphadenopathy

Answer 3

this is typically a condition in which lymph nodes are infected.

Question 4

lymphadenitis

Answer 4

this is inflammation of the lymph nodes, so S+S of infection and inflammation (swelling and redness)

Question 5

Lymphangitis

Answer 5

bacterial (strep) or viral infection of the nodes with red streaks on the arms.

Question 6

what percentage does the leg have to be bigger than the other for a Dx of unilateral lymphedema

Answer 6

10%

Question 7

when can we do compression?chronic venous or chronic arterial

Answer 7

venous. CANNOT do with arterial

Question 8

gold standard for volume measurement of lymphedema

Answer 8

water displacement

Question 9

what is always a contraindication for any stage of lymph edema

Answer 9

anything that will pierce the skin (running barefoot)

Question 10

lymphangiectasis

Answer 10

dilation of lymph vessels that appear like blister like protuberances.

Question 11

lymphorrhea

Answer 11

leakage of the nodes on the skin surface

Question 12

papillomatosis

Answer 12

development of watery growth son the son that contain dilated lymph vessel and fibrous tissue

Question 13

lipodermatosclerosis

Answer 13

thickening and hardening of subcutaneous tissue with brown skin coloration. CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFF

Question 14

(+) vs (-) stemmer sign

Answer 14

negative stemmer if the skin between the first and second toe/finger can be lifted off tissues underneath. positive if the tissues cannot be separated due to swelling.

Question 15

what are soft and tender but moveable lymph nodes indicative of

Answer 15

infection/inflammation

Question 16

what are soft, contender, moveable indicative of

Answer 16

normal

Question 17

what are hard, immobile nodes indicative of

Answer 17

metastatic cancers

Question 18

what are the primary interventions for lymphedema? what is the code acronym to remember?

Answer 18

M-MEC
manual lymph drainage (MLD)
meticulous skin care 
exercise 
compression

Question 19

why are short stretch bandages used over long stretch

Answer 19

short stretch have high working pressures and low resting pressures. The high working pressure makes it very useful in helping with the muscle pump, while the low resting pressures makes it comfortable.

Question 20

TF: lymphedema bandaging involves the fingers too

Answer 20

yes, you want to wrap the fingers with the bandaging.

Question 21

what is always used with lymphedema bandages

Answer 21

foam/padding.