Perth lymphodema physio.

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Chris
Chris Member Posts: 813 ✭
edited December 2013 in General discussion
Hi ladies,
I need some advise please. I have developed a lot of swelling of my right arm, which is my BC side. This obviously is due to my 2 fractures of the upper arm, and the associated soft tissue injury and the bruising from the break. I am worried about permanent lymphodema as a result, and wonder if any Perth ladies can recommend a good physio who specialises in lymphodema? My arm is in a stationary position, and my wrist in a sling which allows my elbow to hang down. I am seeing a GP tomorrow, but would prefer a recommendation before asking her.

Take care, and thanks. Love Chris xx

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  • Chris
    Chris Member Posts: 813 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Hi Vicki, I actually rang them yesterday, and they were not sure what to do for me. Said they would ask colleagues and get back to me. I spoke with my Sydney breast surgeon today, and he recommends a second opinion with a top shoulder surgeon ASAP. I see the GP in an hour hopefully to arrange this. He said treat the break independently from the arm, and worry about the lymphodaema later. He said it is pretty much to be expected that there would be swelling with such a break, and it could last for some months regardless of whether or not there had been lymph node surgery. I still think it needs to be considered. Love Chris xx
  • Pixie29
    Pixie29 Member Posts: 59 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Hi Chris
    How did you go with GP, did you get a referral? Also can he recommend a lymphodaema physio? It makes sense that there would be swelling but if there is going to be some lymph impact I would want to treat it as early as possible. V xox
  • Pixie29
    Pixie29 Member Posts: 59 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Hi Chris
    How did you go with GP, did you get a referral? Also can he recommend a lymphodaema physio? It makes sense that there would be swelling but if there is going to be some lymph impact I would want to treat it as early as possible. V xox
  • Chris
    Chris Member Posts: 813 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Hi Vicki,

    I saw the GP, and she managed to find someone who was able to look at my X-rays yesterday between theatre cases, and also arrange for me to have a CT scan of my shoulder and upper arm. From this he could tell that I didn't need surgery, even though there are 3 fractures. They are not displaced, even though it sounds bad with the grating together of the ends. That was good news, as I had been temporarily put in his theatre list for Monday. I still need to have an ultrasound incase there is tendon or muscle damage, so still possible that it might need surgical repair, but unlikely. It is a bad time of year to find a surgeon, as so many have already gone away for Christmas. The same thing happened when I was diagnosed with BC 3 years ago in December.

    My Sydney Breast surgeon said to concentrate first on the shoulder, and then the lymphodema. He says all the swelling is likely to be from the fractures, and the puffy bits do look very blue, indicating internal bleeding. Anyway I now have some lymphodema specialist physio names here and will follow up with them early next week, after my orthopedic consult on Tuesday.
    Love Chris. Xx

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