Which exercises help?

In general, exercise promotes the removal of lymphatic fluid from the tissues and thus helps to reduce lymphedema. It is important that compression stockings are worn during exercise, as they provide additional support for lymph drainage. Quieter sports are well suited: quiet walks, moderate hiking, Nordic walking, cycling and swimming.

The even movement supports the muscle pump, which promotes the return flow of venous blood to the heart. This also indirectly improves the backflow of lymphatic fluid into the venous vessels. Also well suited are special gymnastic exercises that patients can learn during a physiotherapeutic treatment, and which should be performed consistently and daily by patients at home.

Relatively new is the concept of “decongestive gymnastics”. Here, the lymph nodes are first activated by circular, massaging movements and then simple movement exercises are performed while the compression stockings are worn. These are for example: Slow walking and conscious rolling of the feet, standing on tiptoe and lowering again, etc.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic recommendations for lymphedema of the legs are for example: Lycopodium clavatum Gingko biloba Fucus vesiculosus Sodium sulfuricum

Lycopodium clavatum
Gingko biloba
Fucus vesiculosus
Sodium sulfuricum

Can lymphedema of the legs also be operated on?

Due to the constant pressure on the legs, compression stockings promote the venous return of blood towards the heart and thus also the return of lymph fluid into the veins. Compression stockings for lymphedema of the legs should only be worn after the lymphedema has already decreased significantly as a result of manual lymphatic drainage, as the stockings themselves cannot improve lymphedema, but can stabilize the status quo. Compression stockings for lymphedema of the legs must not be worn in cases of high-grade peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAVK) if the ankle pressure is below 80mmHg.

These are the causes

The causes of lymphedema of the legs are also divided into primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema exists when the lymphedema of the legs is not explained by other diseases but is a disease in its own right. The cause here is congenital malformation of the lymphatic system.

In most cases, women are affected and the disease is diagnosed by the age of 17. The primary lymphedema starts at the feet and spreads along the leg. In about 10% of cases, primary lymphedema of the legs is due to a hereditary disease (e.g. Nonne-Milroy Syndrome).

However, the majority of patients with lymphedema of the legs suffer from so-called secondary lymphedema, which is caused by another disease. Possible causes are tumors, operations, accidents, inflammation of the lymph vessels, radiotherapy and congestion in the venous system. These lymphedema of the legs are often unilateral and spread “from top to bottom”, since the lymph fluid first accumulates where the lymph vessels have been destroyed or displaced, and then backs up towards the feet. The causes of edema in general can be found in the following article: Causes of oedema