It is often difficult to predict the development of such a violation to doctors, because in each case everything depends on the amount of surgical intervention, the condition of the patient herself and the type of therapy that is performed after the operation. Consider such a violation as lymphostasis of the hand after removal of the breast in more detail, and try to name the main directions of its therapy.
What are the reasons for the development of this phenomenon?
To begin with, it is worth noting that during such a complex surgical intervention as mastectomy, not only the removal of the gland itself, but also the lymph nodes of its surrounding, blood vessels can be carried out. Lymph, which continuously ply the body, it is necessary to look for new ways, so it gradually flows into those lymph vessels that were not affected during the operation.
As a result of this process, on the side of the body where the surgery was performed, the lymph flow slows down sharply and it begins to concentrate in the vessels of the hand. Developed, the so-called postmastectomic edema, the degree of expression of which directly depends on the total number of removed lymphatic vessels.
It is worth noting that, in most cases, a woman with lymphostasis of the hand after removal of the breast, the increase in edema observes almost immediately, literally 2-3 days after the operation. In order not to exacerbate their situation in such situations, doctors recommend not lifting anything heavy, do not perform any monotonous frequent movements of the hand, do not exclude sports.
How is the treatment of lymphostasis of the hand after removal of the breast?
Like any disorder, lymphostasis requires an integrated approach. Therefore, the therapeutic process involves several stages.
On the first, a woman should seek advice from a mammologist. In such situations, with the increase of the puffiness of the hand after the operation, one should not wait and think that everything will pass by itself, this will only worsen the state of affairs.
When conducting medical examination specialist determines the density of swollen tissue, makes measurements of the volume of the hand, which is necessary to control the process in dynamics. If necessary, an angiographic examination can be administered to assess the condition of the vessels of the hand.
The second stage of treatment of hand lymphostasis after mastectomy includes gymnastics, which, with this disorder, contributes not only to reducing puffiness, but also strengthens muscle structures.
All exercises are performed in the sitting position. They begin gymnastics already on 7-10 days after the operation. Here are some of those exercises that allow you to treat such a violation as hand lymphostasis after a mastectomy:
- The palms are laid on their knees, their hands are bent at the elbow. Conduct rotational movements with brushes, turning the hand from the back to the inside, the fingers are relaxed at the same time.
- At the same initial position, the fingers of the hand are compressed into a fist and vice versa.
- Hands bent at the elbow, palms on the shoulders. Produce a slow rise and fall of bent hands in front of him.
- Slanting slightly in the operated side of the body, perform the rocking of a relaxed, drooping arm.
- The patient's arm is lifted up and held in this position for 10-15 seconds, holding in the elbow area with a healthy arm.
Along with gymnastics, a woman is prescribed to wear compression lingerie, a lymphatic drainage massage, and medicamental treatment.
It must be said that such funds can only be considered as ancillary, and must be agreed with the doctor. So, among the most common means can be called:
- Trays with a turn, chamomile;
- diuretic teas (with leaves of currant, bearberry, hips);
- compresses with herbs of St. John's wort, sage, turns, yarrow, chamomile and plantain.