Westfield – Westfield Memorial Hospital, part of Allegheny Health Network, has announced that it now offers lymphedema services in the Physical Therapy Department at Westfield Memorial Hospital.

Lymphedema is the swelling of a body part, and is most often found in the extremities. In addition to swelling, it can cause several issues with the skin. All of these conditions will worsen over time if the lymphedema is not treated.

Primary lymphedema can be present at birth or develop later in life. Secondary lymphedema, which is far more common, can be the result of surgery or radiation therapy for cancer, which can involve removal or damaging of the lymph nodes.

Secondary lymphedema can form after injury, trauma, or infection to the lymphatic system. Mild temporary edema can be caused by many factors, but lasting edema may be the sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.

Prior to introducing this service at WMH, patients who needed treatment for lymphedema (including post-breast cancer surgery lymphedema) had to travel to Erie or Buffalo.

While there is no cure for lymphedema, it is manageable with the proper treatment.

Westfield Memorial Hospital now offers a new treatment program for lymphedema that is designed to reduce swelling with Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), performed by a certified lymphedema therapist. The hospital also provides education for patients on the process of lymphedema, proper compression, and MLD techniques patients can perform at home for lymphedema management.

To make an appointment for lymphedema services at Westfield Memorial Hospital, please call (716) 793-2231 during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Westfield Memorial Hospital

The Westfield Memorial Hospital ED provides care to approximately 7,500 patients every year. In addition to emergency care, the hospital provides an array of services, including ambulatory and short stay surgery, outpatient diagnostic services, imaging, women’s diagnostic services with digital mammography, laboratory, diabetes education, nuclear stress testing, wound and infusion clinics, inpatient care, laser eye surgery, a sleep lab, and a specialty services suite that includes general surgery, orthopaedics, cardiology and diversified hearing services. WMH also provides primary care services at both WMH and at the Chautauqua Institution.

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Allegheny General Hospital, 320 E North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 United States.