Fibrosis, or hardening of the tissues is a common complication in healing from surgery as well as long standing lymphedema. There are several products on the market to lessen or manage fibrosis. Each has its own benefits. For example, swell spots by L&R can be washed and dried in a washing machine at home and reused many times. Such options come in pre-made forms designed to help treat fibrosis on specific areas on the body (see images below).
There are other options, like the lymph pads by Medi, are thinner which are made from a foam that can be cut to shape and cleaned by wiping it down when needed (images below).
Despite the availability and convenience of ready-made products, home-made devices are still more economical and personalized to meet your needs. Supplies are easy to obtain.
Materials Required
- A good pair of sharp scissors
- Pieces of foam to cut up
- A box of Hypafix (available at medical supplies store)
Steps
1. Cut a piece of Hypafix twice the size of the intended swell spot and then cut up pieces of foam. These foam pieces do not have to be uniform in size and shape as it is the difference between them that helps break up the hardness.
2. Peal off the backing (or half of the backing) and stick the foam pieces to the Hypafix.
3. Fold the other side over and press it down so that it sticks to the foam and itself.
You got it! Your very own home-made swell spot. Unlike the earlier two ready-made examples, these cannot be washed, nor should they be reused. Therefore, it is recommended to only use home-made swell spots on intact skin.
Please note, if you have well established fibrosis that is slow to break up, a swell spot that can be washed and reused may be a better option. Consult with your therapist to determine what is right for you.
Melissa Krull is a compression garment fitter and co-founder of FLOW Lymphatic Health Services.