Rehabilitation of cancer patients: the use of pneumatic compression in secondary lymphedema treatment

Abstract

Complex decongestive therapy is a cornerstone of conservative chronic lymphedema treatment. There are other conservative treatment options that include intermittent pneumatic compression. Its mechanism of action is based on pressure applying on the underlying tissues and promoting the lymph flow through the lymphatic structures. Pneumatic compression was invented in 1972; nevertheless it has not found widespread support of professional community as a self-sufficient method of conservative lymphedema treatment, though it’s used a lot in many rehab clinics worldwide.Aim. To determine the indications and effectiveness of pneumatic compression, as well as to identify the possibility of using this method in the practice of treating lymphatic edema.