What compression products are best for
lymphedema?
Within
the compression arena, there are two types of compression therapy: elastic and
inelastic.
Elastic
compression therapy includes circular and flat-knit compression stockings for
venous, lymphatic and wound care applications. These products use elastic
fibers that enable the stocking to provide compression and allow stretch for
easy application.
The
elastic nature of the garment provides a consistent or static compression to
the limb. Thus, when a patient moves or ambulates, the compression fluctuates
very little and maintains a fairly consistent level.
Key
Benefits of Static Compression:
·
Precise and accurate compression
·
Maximum wearing comfort at rest and during activity to enhance
compliance
·
Fits every lifestyle need with color and pattern choices
How to choose elastic
compression garments for lymphedema?
Compression garments for lymphedema should be prescribed by a physician with input from a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. The specific garment prescribed is dependent upon several factors including limb volume, skin condition, garment experience, the stage of lymphedema, and the phase of treatment.
Lymphedema Therapy Concept
What is the lymphedema treatment process?
The medi lymphedema therapy concept is a comprehensive approach
in the treatment of lymphedema that provides the right products for each stage
of treatment, from the decongestion phase, through the transition phase and
finally with the maintenance phase.
Decongestion Phase Lymphedema: An introduction to treatment plan
and limb reduction
The aim is to reduce the circumference of the affected limbs.
So, in the first phase of complex physical decongestion therapy (CPD), manual,
whole-body lymphatic drainage is performed once or twice a day to promote the
return transport of the fluid away from the tissues. Compression is applied
after each treatment session and supported by special exercises. When beginning
treatment, skin conditions such as fissures or athlete's foot are treated
intensively, because an inflammation can cause additional damage. Consistent
skin hygiene and care are also important throughout the treatment process. Only
pH-neutral cleansing products and creams may be used.
Compression products used during the decongestion phase include pneumatic compression devices or sequential compression pumps such as the medi® pcs , compression bandaging and the use of compression wraps, such as the circaid® reduction kit™ and the circaid juxtafit for lower and circaid juxtafit for upper extremity.
medi® pcs is an offering of pneumatic compression devices
that can be used in the treatment of lymphedema and venous-related
disorders. The medi pcs products have patient-friendly features like the
self-learning, “fill-to-fit” technology and a multilingual touch screen
display. Additionally, the pcs pump delivers clinical results with use of
overlapping chambers and customizable settings to meet each patient’s
therapeutic need.
The circaid reduction kit uses
Velcro® wrap enclosures to deliver MEASURABLE compression with inelastic Breathe-O-Prene®
material. The reduction kit is customizable to each patient and can be adjusted
throughout the decongestion phase.
Transition Phase Lymphedema: The adjustment from clinic care to
self-care
Once the affected limb volumes have plateaued, there is an
important period when patients must transition from an in-clinic treatment
program to a self-management program.
Education is a key component to an independent life with lymphedema by
implementing a manual lymphatic drainage program. Skin care, nutrition and the
development of good compression habits are essential to the progression to
independence.
Compression products used in the transition phase are pneumatic compression devices (pumps), bandaging and the introduction to a compression garment like the circaid® juxtafit®.
The circaid juxtafit for lower extremity is an inelastic and adjustable compression wrap for the management of
lymphedema made with Breathe-O-Prene® material. With customizable options for
the entire leg and a patented Built-In-Pressure System™, this inelastic option
provides strong containment and prevents swelling in the decongestion phase.
The circaid juxtafit for upper extremity allows for quick and easy application and
requires minimal adjustments to help maintain required gradient compression
levels. The inelastic compression wrap for the arm comes in both ready-to-wear
and custom sizes and includes the Built-In-Pressure System™ for accurate
compression.
To learn more about our circaid products, which are commonly
used in both the decongestion and transition phases because of the product’s
ability to adjust to limb sizes or due to a patient’s inconsistent size, visit our
circaid
brand page.
Maintenance Phase Lymphedema: Long-term independent management
of lymphedema
The aim of phase three is to maintain the successes and results
gained throughout the clinical treatment process. During the maintenance phase,
manual lymphatic drainage should be given at least once a week in winter and
twice a week in summer. The additional treatment measures such as special skin
care and exercises must not be neglected either.
At this
phase, most patients will incorporate a mediven flat-knit compression garment
or a circular knit garment into their collection of therapy products. Flat-knit
products are perfect for ambulatory patients because the stronger material
ensures constant working pressure over a large area, particularly when the
patient moves about.
Round (or
circular) knit compression stockings are knitted on cylinder machines and are
seamless. The yarns used are pliable and knit to allow two-way stretch both in
circumference and in length. Round-knit stockings mold to the shape of the limb
and perform well during movement by staying in place. Round-knit products can
be purchased in pre-made sizes (off-the shelf, ready-made) or customized to fit
the individual.
Flat-knit
compression stockings are elastic garments used typically in the maintenance
phase of lymphedema. Flat-knit compression garments are usually custom-made and
provide the most containment of all the elastic compression garments that can
help support lobes and address problems that occur with skin folds. Flat-knit
products can be measured to the exact millimeter to provide optimal fit and
have the versatility to include special features for therapeutic support, added
comfort and aesthetics.
Compression
stockings are available by prescription from medi authorized dealers or
medical retailers such as durable medical stores, specialty pharmacies, or
orthotic and prosthetic centers with trained individuals who take measurements
and provide billing options.
What
types of mediven® flat-knit garments are available?
There
are three flat-knit garment product lines within the mediven family to choose
your perfect solution for lower extremity: mediven mondi 350 leg, mediven
cosy 450 and mediven 550 leg; and two flat-knit mediven options for
upper extremity: mediven mondi 350 arm and mediven 550 arm.
For
early to mid-stage lower leg lymphedema, mediven mondi 350 provides
a soft and comfortable fabric choice for those with sensitive skin structures
who require a gentler option. Our newest flat-knit fabric choice, the mediven cosy 450 is a lower leg solution with flexible, supple fabric and elasticity,
providing excellent containment for those patients with higher mobility.
Lastly, our most robust garment, mediven
550 for
leg, provides high-working pressure to achieve best therapeutic results for
patients with skin folds or lobules that require additional support.
For
patients with upper limb lymphedema in stages 1 and 2, mediven mondi 350 arm delivers
fashion and effective edema control through customized fit and a variety of
choices, ultimately enhancing compliance. The mediven 550 arm provides
another custom option for all forms of edema with plenty of design and color
additions to satisfy any patient, while providing maximum containment.
What are inelastic compression
wraps?
Also
referred to as Velcro® compression wraps, this category is comprised of our circaid® product
line for venous, lymphedema and wound care applications. These products use
inelastic materials that have limited stretch when the circumference of the
limb changes with movement of the body. The resistance of the garment will make
compression levels rise and fall, thus creating a DYNAMIC compression system.
Key
Benefits of Dynamic Compression:
·
Ability to adjust compression levels of day and night use
·
Ease of application
·
Maximum edema containment
·
Improved venous hemodynamics