Comprehensive Treatment of Patients with Lymphedema of the Lower Extremities

Abstract

Comprehensive treatment with the use of gravitational therapy was carried out in 56 patients aged from 19 to 68 years. By the method of serial sampling, patients were grouped into 2 groups I-III stages of lymphedema. The first group of patients with primary lymphedema of the lower extremities - 16, the second group of patients with secondary lymphedema - 40. In the examination and treatment of patients, in combination with known methods, gravitational therapy was used. Clinical improvement of the manifestations of the disease, positive changes in the lymphatic drainage, microcirculation, condition of the soft tissues of the lower extremities, mainly in patients with stages I and II, confirmed by computed tomography, triplex scanning, thermography, ultrasound examination of the inguinal lymph nodes and soft tissues, hydrophilic McClura test and Aldrich. It has been established that the use of gravitational effects in combination with contractions of the gastrocnemius muscles stimulates external and internal factors of lymphatic drainage and increases the effectiveness of complex treatment of patients with lower limb lymphedema. However, the low effectiveness of the method of gravitational therapy in patients with primary lymphedema was noted.