Self Management

Many of the lymphoedema clinics around Scotland will be unable to offer face to face appointments at present due to the restrictions around Coronavirus although some are still able to offer support by phone or telehealth. Please remember that self management is...

Management of Chronic Oedema and Lymphoedema

Management of chronic oedema consists of identifying and eliminating risk factors where possible e.g. prolonged dependency, obesity, sedentary lifestyle. A combination of preventative and active therapy includes compression, skin care, exercise, healthy lifestyle....

Community Nurses

Welcome to the community nurses’ page. Working in the community, you will encounter a wide range of patients who present with long-term swelling, some of these will be chronic oedema, some will be lymphoedema and others will be palliative oedema or palliative...

Chronic Oedema

Causes Chronic oedema is oedema that has been present for 3 months or more. The main causes are: Chronic venous disease Prolonged dependency/immobility e.g. follwing stroke, failure to go to bed, wheelchair bound. Obesity IV drug abuse Medication side effects e.g....

Prescribing Compression Hosiery

Information required: Type (e.g.below-knee, thigh with grip-top, tights); Category British standard or Lymphoedema (sometimes referred to as ‘European’ see below); Compression class (strength) e.g. class 1 – 4 (see below); Size (from measurements as...

Causes of Chronic Oedema

Chronic venous disease Prolonged dependency/immobility e.g. follwing stroke, failure to go to bed, wheelchair bound. Obesity IV drug abuse Medication side effects e.g. steroids, gabapentin, Amlodipine Significant trauma e.g. burns, degloving etc Chronic organ failure...

Differential Diagnosis of Lymphoedema

The differential diagnosis of lymphoedema from other chronic oedema and mixed oedema is based largely on a good history, but there are some investigations that would help differentiate and therefore direct patient care more appropriately. Quick flowchart...

Physiotherapists

Welcome to the physiotherapists’ pages.  Physiotherapists will see patients with a variety of oedemas depending on the cause of swelling. These pages have been divided into subheadings for physiotherapy treatment options of Cancer-related oedema and Non-cancer-related...

Palliative Lymphoedema/Oedema

Oedema is a common feature in many long term-conditions including: Advanced cancer Chronic Heart Failure Advance neurological and liver disease End stage renal disease End stage chronic respiratory disease HIV/Aids Causes of oedema can be multi-factorial in this...

Patients and Carers

A basic overview about lymphoedema is given below but the Scottish Lymphoedema Practitioners’ Network regularly update the information in NHS Inform so you may find the information there useful. The patient support charity Lymphoedema Support Network provides...