Best Practice for Cellulitis with Lymphoedema

Distinguishing between ‘red legs’ and cellulitis in these patients can be difficult (Cellulitis or Red Legs Flowchart). However once established, the following may be a useful guide. The British Lymphology Society and The Lymphoedema Support network...

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...

Doctors

Doctors self-identified their education needs in a recent study* (as summarised in the charts below) Lymphoedema services in Scotland Differential diagnosis of lymphoedema and further information Prescribing compression hosiery Best practice for cellulitis with...

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...

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...

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....

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....