I'm often asked, "what is the difference between edema and lymphedema?" Edema is swelling that is a symptom of an underlying issue, and it may be resolved once the cause is determined. Lymphedema is a disease, and though the swelling can be reduced and managed with the appropriate care, it is incurable. In the United States, the two most common causes of lymphedema are lymphadenectomy [removal of one or more lymph nodes], usually because of cancer staging and treatment, and advancing age. My graduate research at University of Florida School of Medicine is in the prevention and treatment of age-related edema and lymphedema as cases are rapidly on the rise in our culture. The Mayo Clinic states that as many as 85% of people experience edema later in life (1). As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) I am trained in the four aspects of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), the “gold standard” of lymphedema therapy (2). They are Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), compression therapy, specialized stretches and exercises, and skin care.

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Two of the most common causes of age-related edema are osteoarthritis (OA) and joint replacement surgeries, for which OA is the most common cause. OA is so common that it is often referred to as a “universal disease” with The Cleveland Clinic stating that it affects over 80% of adults over 55 years of age (3). Research has proven that chronic misalignment of the joint is a common cause of OA (4). Add to that any previous injury and OA is all but guaranteed. Joint replacement surgery is the treatment for end-stage OA, and it is truly life-altering! But it is not a one and done treatment, because if you do not release the adhesions in the soft tissues of the body that are causing the chronic misalignment that led to the OA in the joint it will cause the new joint to wear out prematurely and/or premature wear-and-tear in other joints. Additionally, knee replacement surgery is noted to be the most common cause of non-cancer surgery-related lymphedema (5). Any swelling of the knee can prevent blood and lymph (the fluid, nutrients, and waste products within the lymphatic system) from being able to flow up your leg and back to your heart which has adverse effects on both your cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.

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If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema in stages 0, 1, or 2, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), or swelling from osteoarthritis and/or post-operative joint replacement surgery, especially of the knee or hip, please contact me for a free consultation to develop a treatment plan. Special pricing is available for lymphedema and edema management.

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References:

1. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2013, December 12). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/news/complex-decongestive-therapy-may-benefit-patients-chronic-disease-palliative-care-settings/mac-20429654Links to an external site.

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2. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). (2025, February 6). Physiopedia, https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Complete_Decongestive_Therapy_(CDT)&oldid=365852.

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3. Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, causes and treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, October 7). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5599-osteoarthritis

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4. Felson, D. T. (2013a, January). Osteoarthritis as a disease of Mechanics. Osteoarthritis and cartilage. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3538894/

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5. Wickline, A., Cole, W., Melin, M., Ehmann, S., Aviles, F., & Bradt, J. (2023, August 10). Mitigating the post-operative swelling tsunami in total knee arthroplasty: A call to action: Published in Journal of Orthopaedic Experience & Innovation. Journal of Orthopaedic Experience & Innovation. https://journaloei.scholasticahq.com/article/77444-mitigating-the-post-operative-swelling-tsunami-in-total-knee-arthroplasty-a-call-to-action

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