The effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Physical Therapy on secondary upper extremity lymphedema after breast cancer surgery

Oneimportant complicationof breast cancer treatment is ipsilateral upper extremity lymphedema. Secondary lymphedema is a chronic condition that leads to loss of function and cosmetic problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP) on volume of lymphedema in patients with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatments. A total of 30 women with lymphedema after breast cancer treatments and according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were chosen. They were treated with complex decongestive physiotherapy. This protocol involved manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)، Compression garments، remedial exercise and skin care. The women were taken 4-week therapy program once per day، 5 days per week. Absolute volume of the lymphedema and circumference of the limb were evaluated before and after treatment. After 4 weeks treatment، lymphedema volume، circumference in all of the evaluated points and severity of the pain are decreased after treatment. In upper extremity lymphedema، the use of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) can decrease edema.