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Swelling worsens without sleeve?

Page last modified on: August 25, 2008

Question from Karen: If you have LE and don't wear a compression sleeve 24/7, will your swelling irreversibly worsen over time?: Answers —Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M.: I think it needs to be known that there is at least one therapist out there who's very popular with patients who think asking women to wear compression garments all the time is an unacceptable state of affairs and that more frequent massage-based drainage can do the same thing as wearing a sleeve, perhaps in combination with pumping. I can also say that opinion, from my experience, does appear to be outlying, that most lymphedema therapists recommend the regular use of compression garments. The question of how many hours a day is truly an individual clinical decision.; Nicole Gergich, M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. : I would add that, if we look at some of the historical work in the literature (I refer specifically to the Casley-Smiths) that lymphedema will progress over time if it's not managed appropriately. So I agree with Dr. Schmitz that it comes down to an individual clinical decision about what is appropriate treatment. Compression garments have been shown to be very effective to maintain limb volume.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Preventing and Treating Arm Lymphedema. Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M.,Nicole Stout Gergich, M.P.T. C.L.T.-L.A.N.A., and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.S.C. answered your questions about ways to prevent and manage lymphedema.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M. is assistant professor in the Division of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania and adjunct associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota.

Nicole Stout Gergich, M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A.

Nicole Stout Gergich M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. is a physical therapist and lymphedema specialist at the Breast Care Center at the National Naval Medical Center. She is also the president of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and has previously served on the Medical Advisory Board and research committee for the National Lymphedema Network.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.