We provide inpatient as well as outpatient treatment for patients with lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema develops as a result of surgical removal of the lymph nodes or malfunctioning of the lymphatic system. It is a chronic illness and therefore requires lifelong treatment.

Learning to live with lymphoedema is a central element of complex physical therapy (also called complete decongestive therapy, complex decongestive physical therapy or complex lymphatic therapy) (CDT, CPT, CDPT or CLT). This requires comprehensive patient education, which is included in the treatment, as are the following four measures:

• manual lymph drainage
• compression
• skin care
• exercisePlease

Watch the three films on this topic:

• Compression bandaging for the arms in lymphoedema
• Compression bandaging for the legs in lymphoedema
• Manual lymph drainage

Lymphoedema therapy takes place in two phases:

• drainage and decongestion in an intensive treatment phase
• maintenance of the therapeutic success with therapy tailored specifically to the patient's needs

Depending on the severity of the lymphoedema, an inpatient stay in a specialist lymphatic clinic may be required for the decongestive phase of treatment. The Bellikon Rehabilitation Clinic has specialist personnel trained in these techniques.

Inpatient decongestive treatment focuses primarily on patients with advanced, complicated and disabling lymphoedemas in stages 2 and 3.

The patients concerned are taught the most important techniques of manual lymph drainage. A further component of treatment is teaching patients to use compression bandaging appropriately; this is done on an individual basis for each patient.

At the Bellikon Rehabilitation Clinic we also use complex physical therapy (CPT) very successfully for patients with postoperative and posttraumatic oedemas. Decongestion facilitates faster rehabilitation, improved mobility and thus an earlier return to work. Rigorous decongestive therapy ensures that fresh as well as chronic wounds heal better and faster.

An outpatient examination can clarify whether inpatient decongestive therapy is necessary.

Lymphoedema is a disorder which tends to be progressive, so intensive therapy phases must be repeated at certain intervals.

Fundamentals and Treatment Programme, (PDF 2.93 MB)

Decongestive therapy, (PDF 217 KB)

Provision of compression stockings, (PDF 191 KB)

LympholoCompression bandaging for lymphoedema, (PDF 219 KB)

Presentation on Lymphoedema June 2006 (PDF 6.77 MB)

Presentation at the DGL Congress, Vienna 29 Sept. 2006 (PDF 11 MB)

Lymph Forum for Patients SFML
(Swiss Professional Association for Manual Lymph Drainage SFML)