Lower Limb Lymphodema

Chapter 14: Lower Limb Lymphoedema

Overview:

• Incidence and impact of lower-limb lymphoedema in women who have been treated for gynaecological cancer
• Presentation of lymphoedema
• Preventative care
• Management
• Includes a relevant case study

Description:

Lymphoedema is caused by failure of the lymphatics. Lymphoedema of the lower limbs is characterised by swelling of one or both limbs and can lead to disabling functional impairment and immobility, together with an altered body image and psychological morbidity (Tobin et al. 1993; Woods 1993). This chapter discusses secondary lymphoedema of the lower limbs as a result of gynaecological cancer.

Topics:

• Incidence and impact
• Pathophysiology
• Presentation
• Preventive care
  • Skin care
  • Exercise and movement
• Management
  • Four cornerstones of treatment
  • Other therapies
• Living with lymphoedema
  • Initial presentation
  • Management
  • Psychological distress
  • Work and career
• Treatment in advanced gynaecological cancer
• Case study

Speaker / Author:

Margaret Sneddon
Margaret is a registered nurse and midwife, and a recorded Clinical Nurse Teacher. She holds a master of science research degree - which focused on the outcome of palliative care education on practice. She also holds a postgraduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher education. Margaret worked as a nurse in gynaecology in Scotland for six years before becoming the first gynaecology cancer specialist nurse in the UK. After training as a Clinical Nurse Teacher, Margaret took up a joint clinical, education and research post in palliative care. The clinical aspect of the post involved setting up a palliative care support team in an acute hospital. The research was the basis of her master’s degree. As a consequence of the research she was employed to establish and then direct Scotland’s first multi-professional program in palliative care in the University of Glasgow.

Margaret is now responsible for the cancer branch of the master of science in health care at the University of Glasgow. Having run lymphoedema courses since 1996, she also directs the program for the graduate diploma in chronic oedema management. She is a teacher of the Casley-Smith method of manual lymphatic drainage. Margaret is actively involved with the British Lymphology Society, of which she is currently vice chairperson.

Professional Reviews: