Non healing wounds, Lymphedema, lymph, limb swelling, Wound healing, ulcers, skin breakdown, discoloration, blisters, Dr Alexander, plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgery, Cochin, India+

While obstruction of veins can cause back pressure and swelling of the limbs, sometimes the drainage of tissue fluid (lymph) itself may be blocked or hampered leading to severe swelling of limbs (lymphedema). This is commonly seen when surgeons remove the lymph nodes in the axillary region (armpit) following cancer of the breast and the arm gets swollen. Sometimes diseases like filariasis(elephantiasis) block the lymphatic system, similarly causing lymphedema or swelling. Sometimes the abnormal lymphatic vessels maybe present from birth, leading to swelling of the limbs. At other times tumors may cause pressure on these drainage channels in the abdomen and lead to swelling of the limbs.

In all these cases one should find out the actual cause of the limb swelling and then plan the treatment according to the cause. Reducing the lymphatic edema will help in the faster healing of the wound. When faced with a non healing wound, lymphatic edema may be a cause that one should rule out.