Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling. It happens when lymph fluid, which helps keep your body healthy and fight infection, can’t drain properly. This inability to move fluid causes a lymph buildup in your soft tissues, most often in an arm or a leg. The resulting lymph swelling can affect your movement and cause pain.

Lymphedema is treated by specialists trained in care for lymphatic disorders, including physiatrists, interventional radiologists, and other experts. At Penn Medicine, these specialists work together to identify the cause of your swelling and find the most effective ways to reduce it and improve your daily function.

The most common lymphedema symptom is swelling in an arm or leg, though it can occur anywhere in the body. Sometimes this swelling is mistaken for lipedema, another condition that also causes fluid buildup. It can be hard to tell the difference between lipedema versus lymphedema, but the two require very different treatments. That’s why getting the right diagnosis is important.

Talk with your provider if you notice any of these changes:

• A feeling of tightness, heaviness, or fullness in an arm or leg
• Swelling that often starts in the hands or feet
• Tightness in jewelry or clothing that once fit comfortably
• Limited movement in the affected limb
• Skin that feels thicker, tougher, or looks different than before
• Swelling on one side of the body, such as one arm or one leg

Any problem that blocks the normal drainage of lymph fluid can lead to lymphedema. When lymph fluid can’t move through the body as it should, it builds up in soft tissues, leading to lymphatic obstruction.

There are two main causes of lymphedema. Primary lymphedema is rare and develops because of the way the lymph vessels or nodes formed before birth.

Secondary lymphedema is more common and occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged later in life, often due to cancer treatment (especially for breast cancer), surgery that removes lymph nodes, inflamed lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), radiation, or a serious injury. This damage prevents lymph fluid from draining properly, leading to swelling.

While there’s no cure for lymphedema, many treatments can help reduce swelling and keep it from getting worse. Treatment focuses on improving comfort, restoring movement, and preventing infection.

Therapy may include manual lymph drainage, a gentle massage technique that helps move lymph fluid out of the swollen area. Exercises can also promote fluid movement and help maintain flexibility. Compression garments or bandages help keep fluid from building up again. Keeping your skin clean, moisturized, and protected from injury helps prevent infection. For some people, surgery or a minimally invasive procedure like embolization can reduce swelling or improve drainage.

Lymphedema often requires lifelong management, and getting care from a team that understands every aspect of the condition can make all the difference. At Penn Medicine, you’ll find coordinated lymphatic disease care from specialists in every area of lymphatic health.

Our program stands out for:

• Collaborative expertise: Our physiatrists who specialize in lymphedema work closely with certified lymphedema therapists (CLTs), who are trained to help you manage swelling and improve mobility.
• Advanced options: We offer access to minimally invasive procedures and the latest imaging to pinpoint and treat the cause of swelling.
• National recognition: Our program is designated as a Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) Center of Excellence.