Manual lymph drainage massage post-ops

[Elizabeth24]

Hello, My question isn't about a specific case. Rather it's about if you know how soon after surgery one can perform lymphatic drainage massage? I know lymphatics are disrupted around the actual surgery site, so my other question pertains to where you can apply it. For example on a stifle surgery, can you start doing it the same day as long as the patient tolerates it? According to human recommendations especially for plastic surgery, they recommend doing it early on to benefit waste removal, pain reduction, etc. And for the stifle, can you perform lymph drainage distal to the surgery site as long as you cover 360 degrees around the limb so the lymph has some where to go?
Thanks for understanding this long question.
Elizabeth24

[lehughes]

Fabulous question Elizabeth! I love questions that stimulate thought (and hopefully discussion).

So, I would say that absolutely, you could start lymphatic drainage immediately post op. Your main concern is to avoid irritating the incision (i.e. don't pull on the incision in any direction that would cause untoward gapping of the incision). Secondly, there should never be pain.

In regards to 360 degrees. That concept is new to me... but when I think about it, that is exactly what I do. And move fluid upwards and towards lymphatic drainage sites (posterior knee, and into the groin).

Depth of pressure is key, as in, keep your pressure light. I'd say less than 1/2 a pound of pressure.
True lymphatic drainage is often as simple as some light 'brushing' strokes up a leg / extremity...

Great question!

Laurie

[Elizabeth24]

Thanks for the reply. By 360 degrees I meant covering the leg with the strokes all in the distal to proximal direction straight up or veering toward the lymph nodes of the groin. Just like the longitudinal lines on Earth, the lines would cover all the sides of the leg.
I understand lymph drainage has to be very, very light. Most of the edema we seek to reduce is subcutaneous and those superficial lymph channels are easily compressed.
I am enjoying reading other posts here, and am glad I could post one to stimulate thought on manual therapy.

[lehughes]

Ah yes... your 360 description makes good sense...

Thanks!

Laurie