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The Adelaide Lymphoedema Clinic

 

Clinic Information Frequently Asked Questions

 

Clinic Information

The Adelaide Lymphoedema Clinic was established in 1987 by Michael Mason MCSP FSMA, who is a member of the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) and a past president of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA). He was the first physiotherapist in Australia to treat lymphoedema patients with Complex Physical Therapy (CPT) and has regularly run training courses for allied health professionals on the treatment and management of lymphoedema in Adelaide and Sydney. 

Situated at 90 Fullarton Road, Norwood, South Australia, the Clinic is just 1 kilometre east of the Adelaide city centre. Here, patients are assessed individually and treated according to their condition, age and general state of health.

Complex Physical Therapy (CPT) is currently the most effective non-invasive and safest treatment of lymphoedema in the long and the short term worldwide. 

The treatment is not a cure for lymphoedema. There is no known cure. Treatment is designed to reduce the swelling, improve the lymphatic drainage and increase the mobility of the limbs, thereby relieving the pain, aching, heaviness, tightness and discomfort and improving the patient's well-being and ability to lead a normal life. The treatment also includes education of the patient about the nature of the condition and how best to live with the problem. (For more information on these procedures, see "What is the treatment for lymphoedema?").

At the completion of the treatment, patients are fitted with a compression garment in the form of a sleeve/glove or stocking to maintain the improvement gained from the treatment and control the oedema. The amount of improvement gained from the treatment varies, depending on a number of factors such as whether the lymphoedema is primary or secondary, the length of time it has been present, whether the oedema is soft or hard and the age of the patient. To date, the average reduction in oedema is in excess of 70% for both arms and legs.

Patients are re-assessed periodically and supplied with new compression garments. A further course of treatment is given if necessary.

 

The Adelaide Lymphoedema Clinic provides the following services:

 
Assessment of, and an intensive treatment programme for, patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema and venous oedema. This includes advice on how each individual patient can adapt their lifestyle to cope with these potentially disabling conditions.

 

Assessment of, and advice to, people who do not have lymphoedema, but are at risk of developing the condition.

 

Supply and fitting of stock size and made-to-measure compression garments for lymphoedema and venous oedema patients and for travellers to assist in decreasing the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

 
Contacting the Clinic

 

 

Also available from the clinic are four informative publications specifically written for people with lymphoedema or who are at risk of developing lymphoedema. Click on one of the links below to find out more about that book.

 
Living With Lymphoedema: A Handbook for Patients
Exercises for Lymphoedema of the Arm: A Handbook for Patients
Exercises for Lymphoedema of the Leg: A Handbook for Patients
Self Massage and Exercise Routine pamphlets
 

© Copyright The Adelaide Lymphoedema Clinic 2007.