Swelling palm of hand- lymphedema?

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LoriL
LoriL Member Posts: 185
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hello ladies,

I'm trying to decipher if I have injured my hand, or if I am developing signs of lymphedema. Ironically, I have an appointment with my Oncologist tomorrow, but wanted to get your input.

Backround: bilat. mast 5/09, 2 sentinetl lymph nodes removed on left side, radiation to left side due to margins not wide enough, Bicycle injury to left side 7/10- torn open my left elbow. My elbow healed nicely, and I'm very active and have been doing yoga, weight lifting, running, cycling, etc. No signs of lymphedema anywhere.

 About a month ago I had some pain in the palm of my left hand- felt like a bruise, but never any swelling. I thought maybe it was a soft tissue injury in my hand, as I felt it primarily when I lifted weights. I tried not to use it too much, and the pain went away after a few days. Now a few days ago I noticed the pain again when lifting weights. I had a quite challenging yoga class the following evening, but it didn't seem to cause pain in my hand. Yesterday, however, I noticed some visible swelling only in the palm of my hand. It again feels like a "bruise" in the center of the palm of my hand when I push on it. I should note that I tend to be quite prone to "overuse" athletic injuries, and have always been that way. My dad, sister and I get things like tendonitis/bursitis and other "itis's" at the drop of a hat. I'm also battling some knee issues where my knee swells up periodically from a tendonitis. :-(

Anyway, just today it dawned on me that this might be lymphedema and not a soft tissue injury like I had suspected. Any thoughts? Would lyphedema feel like a "bruise" when I push on it? Would it be odd to have swelling only in the palm but not the fingers and not the wrist/arm/elbow/chest? Please help me... I'm feeling a bit panicky right now.... 

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Comments

  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    LoriL--palm swelling can happen, but fluid tends to take the path of least resistance and go to the top of the hand, which swells quite easily.

    I have some swelling in my palm--but it showed up after swelling on the top (dorsum) of the hand, and has gotten worse after 6 weeks in a spica cast that trapped the fluid.

    You might want to check out LindaLou's pictures at the top of the forum, she beautifully documented palm swelling--looks like pouches, and when you compare palms, the swollen side has less lines and is fuller.

    To me, it sounds like an injury, but a warning to back off for now. 

    When in doubt, a lymphedema therapist evaluation can figure things out:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    I'd elevate it, and rest it, and back off on the offending exercises for now.

    Kira

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2011

    Lori, I agree with Kira, but wanted to add that my left LE hand swells only in the palm. My LE therapist jokes that my lymph system was installed upside-downLaughing, but she admits she does sometimes see palm swelling without swelling on the back of the hand. When my palm swells it feels achy, but not exactly bruised.

    Do let us know what you discover! Hope it's nothing more than a quick-healing bruise!

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2011

    Thank you both, I appreciate it! I'm sort of kicking myself that I didn't consider lymphedema as a possibility when I first noticed the swelling. I guess I'm so used to various aches/pains/swellings in other parts of my body that I didn't think much about it.

    Thank you again! I'll let you know what I find out tomorrow.  

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2011

    Kira and Binney,

    My Oncologist agrees that my hand swelling is from a soft tissue injury, not lymphedema. He said it would be pretty unusual for lymphedema to show up on the palm and not the dorsum, and also the pain that I have in it is more than what would be typical with lymphedema.

    Thanks again for the insight. Bless you both!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    Lori, I'm so glad--and I'm glad you're so active and aware of your body.

    It sounds like a wake up call to back off for a bit, and maybe use gloves with weights? (I'm not a weight lifter, so I"m clueless here....)

    Kira

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