Causes of Chronic Oedema

  • 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 e.g cardiac, renal, liver (not suitable for compression until medically assessed and condition is stable)
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions e.g. arthritis, dermatological conditions

Further reading:

  • Cooper G (2013) Compression therapy in chronic oedema and lymphoedema Nursing and Residential Care 15 3 134-9
  • Stigent A (2009) Tackling obesity as part of a lymphoedema management programme Chronic Oedema Suppl October S9-14

 

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