The Myton Hospices - Our Services - Lymphoedema services

Our Lymphoedema Service is based at Warwick Myton Hospice and serves both Myton and community patients of Coventry, Rugby and South Warwickshire.

Our team is able to provide a service for people with lymphoedema secondary to cancer and/or its treatment, with the aim of reducing and relieving, as much as possible, the symptoms of lymphoedema.

We run clinics at Warwick Myton Hospice, Coventry Myton Hospice and Rugby Myton Support Hub. We also offer a home-visit service for patients who are housebound.

Please note: At present we are unable to offer a service to patients with lymphoedema secondary to NON CANCER related causes or Primary Lymphoedema. St Giles Lymphoedema Clinic and The Leamington Spa Lymphoedema Clinic may be able to take those referrals.

Lymphoedema is a swelling in the tissues which happens when lymph fluid cannot drain away.

Some people develop lymphoedema if they have lymph nodes removed during cancer surgery or have had radiotherapy as part of their treatment. Some people with cancer may also develop lymphoedema because the cancer affects the drainage of the fluid.

The swelling can affect arms, legs, body, face/neck or genitals, and may cause heaviness, pain, tightness, loss of function, dry/hardened skin and make the person more susceptible to episodes of infection (cellulitis).

What to expect If you are referred to the Lymphoedema Clinic?

You will be assessed by the lymphoedema practitioner who will examine your area of swelling and gain a history of when your swelling started and how it is affecting you. Based on this assessment the practitioner will teach you the best way to manage your swelling.

The aim of our clinic is to help you manage your swelling to a minimum and reduce the risk of possible problems such as infection and discomfort.

The things we teach you may include some or all of the following:

Skin care
Movement / exercise
Simple lymphatic drainage (self-massage)
Wearing of a support garment
Kinesiotaping

The elements taught will be based on the severity and position of your swelling and what you are able to do yourself.

After your initial appointment the practitioner will review you either by phone or at a face to face appointment which will be discussed at the end of your first appointment. You may have several follow up appointments until your self- management programme is making a difference for you and you are confident in how to manage the swelling.

Should your swelling be assessed as being severe or should the area of swelling be very firm you may need to attend clinic for a course of treatment - this will be discussed with you if required.

This treatment would usually include some or all of the following, depending on what the practitioner assesses as needed:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD - massage by the practitioner to help soften and move the swelling)
Lymphatouch Therapy (a gentle suction cup therapy used on the area of swelling to soften and move the swelling)
Bandaging / wrap techniques (to help reduce volume of swelling) depending on your needs

The length and frequency of this treatment will be discussed with you and will run parallel to your self-management techniques that you will most importantly need to continue with at home.

Please note that MLD can only be offered as part of a short treatment programme based on clinical need. It may be offered to address an acute exacerbation of your symptoms or to help achieve a reduction in severe swelling. Following this short course of MLD day to day management/maintenance will be achieved using your own self-lymphatic massage, garments, exercise and skin care. Should you, however, wish to pursue MLD as part of your day to day management private therapists can be found on MLD UK.

Lymphoedema - Reducing the risk (arm & leg)

Lymphoedema - Information Sheets

If you are a medical professional and wish to refer a patient please click here.

For more information please call 01926 838 806 or email Lymphoedema.clinic@mytonhospice.org

Lymphoedema is a swelling in the tissues which happens when lymph fluid cannot drain away.

What to expect If you are referred to the Lymphoedema Clinic?

Lymphoedema - Reducing the risk (arm & leg)

Lymphoedema - Information Sheets

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