Patient Information

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Introduction

This leaflet will provide information on compression garments which play an important role in the management of lymphoedema.  If you have any questions after reading this leaflet, please speak to one of the team. 

Compression Garment

•    Your garment will help to provide support to the tissues and limit the amount of fluid building up in the limb (arm or leg).

•    Wearing your garment may feel strange or uncomfortable at first.  This is usually brief and within a few days should begin to feel more comfortable and supportive.

•    Make sure you wear the garment as this will control your lymphoedema. 

Useful Hints

•    Put your garment on first thing in the morning when your swelling is at its least and remove at night.
•    Do not sleep in your garment unless you are advised to by your therapist.

•    Moisturise your skin, preferably at night.  If applying during the day, make sure it is well absorbed before putting your garment on.

•    Always ensure the garment is evenly distributed over the limb (arm or leg).  Rubber gloves can help to grip the material to readjust as necessary, removing any creases or wrinkles in the fabric.

•    Always exercise with your garment on.  The muscle movement against the garment will encourage lymph drainage.

•    You will be prescribed two garments, one to wash and one to wear.  Try and alternate these evenly to keep in the best condition. 

•    Garments should be cared for according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replaced every 6 months.  Please request further compression as required every 4-6 months, by contacting patient choice directly on 01823 246800. If there are any issues with the fit, then contact the clinic.

•    If you are having difficulty applying your garment speak to your therapist who will be able to discuss various aids and techniques to help you.

Avoid:
•    Having creases or wrinkles in the garment.
•    Folding over the ends of the garment.
•    Cutting or altering the garment.
How to apply your garment
•    Your therapist will advise on the correct way to apply your garment.

Remove garment and inform your doctor or therapist if:
•    Your fingers/toes start to turn blue or purple.
•    You experience any numbness or new tingling sensations.
•    You start to feel short of breath.
•    Your garment is a poor fit, digging in or causing pain/skin irritation.
•    If you have an infection known as cellulitis in your limb (arm or leg), follow the advice of the healthcare professional who will explain the best way to wear the compression so it can be tolerated.

Further information and resources

Staffs District Nurse – 01782 831110
Patient Choice – 01823 246800, option 1

Our Contact Details

Lymphoedema Clinic 01782 676688
UHNS.lymphoedema@nhs.net
or message directly through Patient Knows Best (PKB)

Click here to view/download this leaflet in PDF format.

Introduction

This leaflet will provide general advice on how to help you manage your arm limb(s) following your visit to the Lymphoedema Clinic.  If you have any questions after reading this leaflet, please speak to one of the team. 

Skin Care

•    Moisturise the arm(s) every day at night after removing any sleeves or gloves or other compression.
•    Apply the cream and moisturise in a downward motion towards your hand.  
•    If your skin is dry and flaky, you must first wash with a soap substitute before moisturising your arm(s), such as a fragrance-free cleanser (sometimes referred to as an emollient cream) and dry the arm(s) daily.  

Exercise

•    Movement and exercise are key to managing your Lymphoedema.  
•    Please continue with any exercises provided after your operation which you can continue as part of your long term Lymphoedema management.
Compression`
If you are prescribed compression sleeves to wear, these will be ordered with your consent and will be delivered by Patient Choice, who are an independent prescription home delivery service. 
Sleeves should be replaced every 6 months.

If your sleeve(s) is well fitting and you a require new sleeve(s), please contact Patient Choice directly on 01823 246800 

If the sleeve does not fit correctly or is causing issues such as new pain, pins and needles, numbness, slipping down, pinching or creasing or if you require a general review, please contact the Lymphoedema Clinic on 01782 676688.  If you have been discharged from the clinic, please contact your GP.  

 
Signs of Cellulitis

•    Typically, only affects one limb.
•    Redness/heat travelling up the limb usually in a block of colour 
•    Pain.
•    High Temperature.
•    Nausea/vomiting.
•    Hot Sweats.
•    Rigors (shaking).
•    Loss of appetite.

If in any doubt, please seek an urgent medical review with your GP or walk-in centre if cellulitis is suspected.
Please note:  As a nurse led clinic, we are unable to prescribe antibiotics/pain relief.

Further information 

Lymphoedema Support Network - www.lymphoedema.org
Patient Choice – 01823 246800

Contact details 

Lymphoedema Clinic 01782 676688
UHNS.lymphoedema@nhs.net
or message directly through Patient Knows Best (PKB)

Click here to view/download this leaflet in PDF format including images.

Introduction

This leaflet will provide general advice on how to help you manage your leg limb(s) following your visit to the Lymphoedema Clinic.  If you have any questions after reading this leaflet, please speak to one of the team. 

Skin Care

•    Moisturise the leg(s) every day at night after removing any socks or tights or other compression.  

•    Apply the cream and moisturise in a downward motion.  Pay particular attention to the areas between the toes.

•    If your skin is dry and flaky, you must first wash with a soap substitute before moisturising your leg(s), such as a fragrance-free cleanser (sometimes referred to as an emollient cream) and dry the leg(s) daily.  

In cases where fungal infection develops, either between the toes or affecting the nail, please see your GP or pharmacist as soon as possible for treatment.

Exercise

•    Movement and exercise are key to managing your Lymphoedema.  

•    Keep as active as possible.  If you are not used to being active, take a walk little and often either around the home or garden if safe to do so.

•    If you are a more active person add a further 5 to 10 minutes to your daily normal walking distance.

•    Chair-based exercises. Follow the instructions as shown in the pictures in the leaflet attached above.

Active ankles

•    Sit in a chair up straight with your feet flat on the ground.

•    Raise your leg up and roll ankle/foot in a circular movement x10 on each foot 

•    With your leg up, point your toes down and then point your toes towards your chest x 10 on each foot.

  
Leg raises

•    In a sitting position, straighten out left leg in front of you, straightening the knee.  Hold for 3 seconds then return to resting position x 5 and repeat for right leg.

 
Knee raises

•    Keeping the knee bent, lift left thigh off the chair.  Hold for 3 seconds and relax x 5.  Repeat for right leg. 

•    To make the exercise harder when knee is straight, lift thigh off chair for 2-3 seconds.  Repeat for right leg.
 
Marching action with legs in sitting position, lift knees up/down as quickly as is comfortable, stamping feet on the floor X 10.

Compression

If you are prescribed stockings to wear, these will be ordered with your consent and will be delivered by Patient Choice who are an independent prescription home delivery service 

Garments should be replaced every 6 months.
If your compression garments are well fitted, please contact Patient Choice directly on 01823 246800.

If the compression garments do not fit correctly or are causing issues such as new pain, pins and needles, numbness, slipping down, pinching or creasing or if you require a general review of your treatment, please contact the Lymphoedema Clinic on 01782 676688.  If you have been discharged from the clinic, please contact your GP.  
 
If you develop any breaks in the skin, wounds or 'wet legs' it is important for you to contact the District Nursing hub or your GP. Any breaks in the skin may lead to infection/cellulitis.

Signs of Cellulitis

•    Typically, only affects one leg. 
•    Redness/heat travelling up the limb usually in a block of colour.

•    Pain.
•    High Temperature.
•    Nausea/vomiting.
•    Hot Sweats.
•    Rigors (shaking).
•    Loss of appetite.

It is important that “Red Legs” are not confused with cellulitis.  Usually with “Red Legs” you do not normally suffer with any signs of temperature or generally feeling unwell and therefore antibiotic therapy is ineffective.

If in any doubt, please seek an urgent medical review with your GP or walk in centre if cellulitis is suspected.
Please note:  As a nurse led clinic, we are unable to prescribe antibiotics/pain relief.

Further information 

District nurse hub – 01782 831110
Patient Choice – 01823 246800
Legs matter – www.legsmatter.org
Lymphoedema Support Network - www.lymphoedema.org

Contact details 

Lymphoedema Clinic 01782 676688
UHNS.lymphoedema@nhs.net
or message us through Patient Knows Best (PKB)

Click here to view/download this leaflet in PDF format including images.

Introduction

What is a Pitpak?

• This is a specialized therapeutic pad filled with sterilized, all-natural cherry pits.
• Designed like a mini beanbag, Pitaks come in several shapes and sizes. 
• Dependent on the area of the body which needs targeting/softening, you will be issued with the most appropriate size and shape.  Your Lymphoedema Nurse will discuss and provide advice on this. 
•  Pitpaks tend to be used mainly on the chest.   

What does a Pitpak do?

How to wear

• Standard application of the Pitpak is to wear it inside your bra next to your skin.  
• The placement of the Pitpak is open to an element of choice. You can wear it either way up.  It is to be placed over the area of swelling or thickening. 
• The Pitpak should fit well covering the swollen or thickened area.
• There are only two sizes which are Small (15cm) and Medium (20cm).  If you feel that you would like an alternative size or an additional Pitpak, please do not hesitate to contact the Lymphoedema team.  You can wear more than one Pitpak at a time.  
• If your swelling/thickened tissue is to the inner area of the breast at the cleavage, you may require additional padding placed in between the breasts.  This will ensure the Pitpak is kept firmly against the breast to enable it to stimulate lymph flow and soften the tissues.

Things to look out for

• When you first start wearing the Pitpak, there may be a significant pattern of indentation on the breast once removed.  This is normal and should reduce over time, highlighting a reduction in the volume of swelling.
• Any redness, heat, pain or increased swelling may indicate an infection, and you should contact your GP for advice.

Washing instructions

Contraindications

• You should not wear your Pitpak if it causes any itching or irritation. 
• You should remove it, bathe the affected area and monitor for any changes of redness, heat or pain which may indicate an infection.
• If you do not feel that the Pitpak is effective, please contact the Lymphoedema team.

When to wear

• The Pitpak should be worn all day whilst your bra is in place and then removed when the bra is removed. 
• Your bra should be a well supporting, you can also wear a sports bra or crop top.

Contact details