How Long to do PT with LE?

kdholt

Ok  Ladies! I need your help again. I just started up PT again after taking a couple of months off. Nothing progressed during that time but it did not go away either. I have mild arm and truncal LE. I see a regular PT because there are no LE therapists in my area. Closeset is probably an hr away. I like my PT and she has worked with LE patients in the past. Anyway, here is my question. How long do you recommend doing PT for LE. Can and should therapy clear it up? What is a reasonable goal or expectation to have? I really don't know what to expect. Thanks for your knowledge!

Debbie

Binney4

Debbie, as usual, there are no easy answers with the stupid LE.  The problem is that we're all different, and we start at different stages of LE and react differently to treatment.

Initially, about 20 session at 4 or 5 per week are the norm, even if the arm is reduced to "normal" before then -- that's because the continuing MLD and wrapping help to get the system "readjusted" to the direction of flow that works to relieve the swelling. (So goes the theory, anyway!)

If there hasn't been enough reduction in that time some go on with therapy longer. Eventually they reach a "plateau" where no further reduction seems to be happening. Then it's a good idea to take a break from therapy and maintain the reduction yourself at home with compression and self-MLD. After a month or two you can then return to therapy and many people (most?) then see further reduction.

Some of us have gotten complete reduction (which doesn't end the LE, and we still have to continue self-care, and we're still subject to flares). Others have not been able to get the swelling all the way down, but have gotten some relief and are able to maintain the loss with self-care.

Is your therapist in consultation with a more fully-trained therapist? There are some really good therapists who are happy to help their colleagues deal with this when distance is a problem. Hopefully yours has such a buddy or can find one by making some strategic phone calls.

I hope some of that helps. Do keep us posted on your progress, and I hope it goes really well this time!

Be well!
Binney