How To Use Arm Compression Sleeves For Lymphedema

 

An arm compression sleeve can be described as a snugly fitting, elastic garment that is worn to provide arm compression through targeted, graduated pressure which is beneficial for a variety of applications. For athletes, compression sleeves can help with performance and recovery by reducing muscle fatigue, enhancing circulation and regulating temperature. A compression sleeve can also assist with pain management and injury support by providing warmth and stability to manage aches and conditions resulting from overuse, and to help provide joint and tendon relief and by easing symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

In medical and therapeutic applications compression arm sleeves are primarily used for post-surgical support and lymphedema management.

Post-Surgery Support

Designed to provide gradient pressure to your arm, compression arm sleeves are used to prevent or control severe swelling in the arms following breast cancer surgery, radiation, or trauma. A medical-grade compression sleeve can help reduce post-operative swelling and aid in the healing of sensitive tissue.

Lymphedema Management

Compression sleeves for arms have become the gold standard for treating lymphedema in arms. When worn as a lymphedema compression sleeve, an arm compression sleeve will provide gradient pressure to your arm for treating and managing swelling (edema) caused by lymphedema.

 

What Is Lymphedema

Lymphedema

Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged or compromised, resulting in the disruption of the lymphatic flow (of lymph fluid) moving through the body. When this disruption occurs, there is a build-up of the lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin that causes swelling (edema), which is referred to as lymphedema.

In addition to swelling, the accumulated excess lymph fluid can cause your skin to become thickened or hardened, and creates a breeding ground for bacteria that makes the affected area susceptible to skin infections (cellulitis). If left untreated, cellulitis can spread to the bloodstream and create potentially life-threatening conditions. The skin in the affected area may also become compromised, resulting in leakage of the lymph fluid, especially in cases where the skin is extremely swollen.

Read more about lymphedema.

 

What Is The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic (or lymph) system is comprised of lymphatic vessels that contain lymph fluid which travels throughout the body and ultimately flows into the lymph nodes, that are the organs which filter and clean the system. The small, bean-sized lymph node glands are found in many parts of the body, including the neck, armpit, chest, abdomen (belly), and groin.

The lymphatic system is an integral part of your body's detoxification and immune system as the lymph system plays many important roles in your body, including:

• helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body
• transports nutrients and immune cells that help protect you from viruses, bacteria, and other invaders
• filters out germs, toxins and waste

When infections, diseases, injuries or trauma cause your lymphatic system to stop functioning properly, you may develop lymphedema. With this condition, the lymph fluid is unable to properly move within the lymphatic system, and the fluid builds up in your tissues, causing swelling (i.e., lymphedema).

 

Primary Lymphedema vs. Secondary Lymphedema

While most lymphedema occurs as the result of damage to the lymphatic system, often the result of treating cancer (secondary lymphedema), people can be born with a compromised lymphatic system (primary lymphedema). Primary lymphedema is caused by rare genetic conditions that prevent the lymphatic system from developing properly.

Cancer treatment increases the risk for developing secondary lymphedema as the cancer treatment procedures can disrupt or damage the lymphatic system. The damage to the lymphatic system often happens with cancer treatments like radiation therapy and surgery, since these procedures can impact your lymph nodes and the surrounding vessels.

 

Where Does Lymphedema Commonly Develop

Lymphedema will usually occur and affect the arms and hands, and legs and feet, and while less common, lymphedema can also develop in the head, neck (head and neck lymphedema), breasts and chest (breast lymphedema), abdomen, back, and genitals (genital lymphedema).

 

The Role of Compression Sleeves For Treating Lymphedema In Arms

What Are Compression Arm Sleeves

Arm compression sleeves for lymphedema are tight, bands of woven elastic fabric that you wear on your arms for providing gradient pressure to your arm to treat and manage swelling (edema) caused by lymphedema. While these compression sleeves are available in a variety of materials, colors, and styles, they are all designed with same purpose in mind; applying pressure that forces the lymph fluids to move up and out of your arm, preventing it from accumulating and causing swelling.

See the wide variety of compression arm sleeves that we offer.

 

How Do Compression Sleeves Work

While there are a variety of fabrics, styles, and features available with compression sleeves, a compression arm sleeve (lymphedema sleeve) is designed to provide graduated pressure (compression) to your arm for managing lymphedema. Graduated pressure means that the compression sleeve is tighter at the wrist and becomes gradually looser toward the upper arm. The design of an arm compression sleeve therefore creates external pressure that is greater at your wrist and decreases upwards along the length of your arm, causing trapped lymph fluid to drain away from tissue and forcing the trapped lymph fluids up and out of your arm. The external pressure provided by the compression sleeve also helps to prevent further build-up of lymph fluid which causes swelling.

 

What Does Graduated Compression Mean With Compression Arm Sleeves

Compression sleeves for arms are designed to provide graduated pressure, which means that the compression sleeve is tighter at the wrist and becomes gradually looser toward the upper arm. These compression sleeves are available in different levels of pressure, with each level determining how much arm compression the sleeve will provide. In simple terms, the higher level of compression, the tighter the arm compression sleeve will be.

The compression applied by the compression sleeve is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury), which is the same measurement that is used for measuring blood pressure. The four levels of pressure in U.S. manufactured compression sleeves are:

• class 0 compression sleeve (exerts 15 mmHg to 20 mmHg of pressure)
• class 1 compression sleeve (exerts 20 mmHg to 30 mmHg of pressure)
• class 2 compression sleeve (exerts 30 mmHg to 40 mmHg of pressure)
• class 3 compression sleeve (exerts 40 mmHg to 50 mmHg of pressure)

Note that some compression sleeves for arms reflect European compression standards as to the amount of graduated pressure they provide. The European classification system is:

• class 1 compression sleeve (exerts 18 mmHg to 21 mmHg of pressure)
• class 2 compression sleeve (exerts 23 mmHg to 32 mmHg of pressure)
• class 3 compression sleeve (exerts 34 mmHg to 46 mmHg of pressure)

 

What Level Of Compression Should I Choose For My Lymphedema Sleeve

When choosing a lymphedema compression sleeve it is very important to choose the correct compression level that’s required for your lymphedema treatment or compression therapy. Generally, more severe cases of lymphedema will require class 3 compression sleeves, and milder cases of lymphedema require class 1 or 2 compression sleeves. Compression sleeves for arms that exert as little as 15 mmHg to 20 mmHg are suited for very mild cases of lymphedema, or those who are at risk of developing lymphedema.

The following are the different compression classes of compression sleeves, and what they are typically recommended for:

• Compression Class 0: 15 - 20 mmHg – for those at risk for lymphedema
• Compression Class 1: 20 - 30 mmHg – for those at risk for lymphedema or for mild lymphedema
• Compression Class 2: 30 - 40 mmHg – for those with moderate or severe lymphedema
• Compression Class 3: 40 - 50 mmHg – for those with severe or hard to control lymphedema

You should always speak with your healthcare provider regarding the best compression level for you and your individual health condition.

 

Types Of Arm Compression Sleeves For Lymphedema: Daytime vs Nighttime

Arm compression sleeves are primarily designed for daytime use, and it is not generally recommended that you wear your compression sleeve at night while sleeping. Compression sleeves are designed to work against gravity while standing, when your body needs external help to promote fluid flow upwards. Wearing your arm compression sleeve overnight while lying down when gravity is not an issue, the arm compression sleeve provides unneeded compression or pressure points, especially if it slips or bunches up, which can actually restrict circulation.

Additionally, your skin will need time to breathe and relax from the constant pressure and external force that your lymphedema sleeve is creating on your arm. Taking time off from wearing compression sleeves for arms at night or during periods of rest or low activity will provide your skin with the break that it needs to avoid skin irritation, and reduces the risk of fungal infections and rashes.

If you do need continuous, around the clock arm compression, there are specialized compression sleeves for ams designed specifically for nighttime wear and during periods of rest or low activity.

Daytime arm compression sleeves

A daytime compression arm sleeve is tighter at the bottom (at the wrist) and gradually loosens along the length of the sleeve as nears the top (at the upper arm), creating gradient pressure that helps the movement of lymph fluid upwards and out of the arm. These compression sleeves work on the concept of resting and working pressure. Resting pressure is the force that the compression sleeves apply to your arm while the muscles are relaxed, while working pressure is a higher force that is created when your arm muscles are moving. The interaction of working and resting pressure creates a pump-like reaction that helps promote the movement of lymph fluid.

Nighttime arm compression sleeves

Nighttime compression sleeves for arms are designed to be larger and bulkier, allowing them to fit a little looser than daytime compression sleeves. Typically made with foam and padded materials, the nighttime compression arm sleeves are soft to wear and provide continuous gentle pressure to your arm. Unlike daytime compression sleeves which are designed to actively promote the flow of lymph fluid out of your arm, a nighttime lymphedema compression sleeve is worn to prevent the lymph fluid from reaccumulating in your arm while you are sleeping.

Key features of nighttime compression arm sleeves include:

• Breathable colling fabrics: Moisture-wicking fabrics help dissipate heat to prevent sweating and promote dry wearing comfort while sleeping
• Soft quilted out shell design: Thick, padded quilt outer shells offer comfort and flexible movement to aid sleeping
• Padded foam inner construction: more comfortable to wear while creating a gentle micro-massage effect that targets hardened fibrotic tissue and helps stimulate lymph flow
• Anatomical fit: Designed to fit anatomical structures of your arm and hands to enhance wearing comfort
• Channeled structure: helps promote the flow of lymph fluid out of your arm
• Gentle compression: Lower pressure prevents construction and allows skin to recover

 

The Role Of Compression Arm Sleeves In Lymphedema Prevention

If you have had lymph node removal or are recovering from breast cancer treatment, you have a higher risk of developing lymphedema. Lymphedema cannot be cured, but there are a number of steps that you can take to help prevent lymphedema if you are in the high risk category for lymphedema developing:

• Diet and exercise to maintain body weight
• Avoid vigorous or excessive exercise
• Maintain skin health and protect your skin from injury or infection
• Avoid extreme temperatures or sun exposure
• Avoid construction or pressure on your arm
• Elevate your arm
• Wear light compression during air travel and long periods of inactivity

While wearing an arm compression sleeve is a common treatment for arm lymphedema, an arm compression sleeve can also be proscribed as a preventative treatment against the development of lymphedema. Studies have shown that wearing a compression arm sleeve can help prevent the development of lymphedema, reduce symptom severity, or stop progression of arm lymphedema into a more severe stage, helping you avoid chronic lymphedema.

Read more about cancer treatment and the risk for lymphedema.

 

Bottom Line: Crucial Tips for Success For Wearing Compression Arm Sleeves For Lymphedema

To ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your lymphedema sleeve, we recommend you consider the following steps:

Choose the proper compression: Consult with your healthcare provider to ensure that you choose a lymphedema compression sleeve that provides you with the correct level of gradient compression for your particular needs.

Ensure you have a proper fit: This is one of the most important steps for effective compression therapy for lymphedema. Wearing a poorly fitting compression arm sleeve can actually make your condition worse. If your arm compression sleeve is too tight, it can:

• restrict circulation and lymphatic flow
• increase swelling
• damage soft skin tissue
• cause tingling or numbness

When arm compression sleeves for lymphedema are too loose, they can:

• slide or bunch, which can restrict circulation and lymph flow
• provide ineffective compression therapy
• cause skin irritation, rashes or abrasions

Actively wear your compression arm sleeve: Generally, compression arm sleeves should be worn during all waking hours, and especially during periods of activity.

Practice nighttime care: If your healthcare provider prescribes the need for nighttime compression, make sure that you wear a specialized nighttime compression garment to manage swelling while you are asleep and while resting.

Keep your compression arm sleeve clean: Proper care of compression arms sleeves will help extend the life of the garment and provide you with a better compression therapy result. Frequent washing of your compression sleeve will remove built-up sweat and body oils that cause the garment’s elastic fibers to break down. Machine drying your arm compression sleeve, will tighten the material, helping the sleeve to bounce back to its original compression strength.

Replace your compression sleeve regularly: The compressive elastic fabric in your arm compression sleeve will stretch out with daily use and washing. As your compression arm sleeve stretches out, it will begin to lose effectiveness and must therefore be replaced every 4 to 6 months.