BIO IMPEDENCE
Lymphoedema Analysis
Graphical History
Graphical representation of improvement (reduction) in L-Dex scores over a course of treatments using laser therapy and manual lymphatic drainage.
Note the immediate improvement in the session on 21/01/09 when laser therapy only was utilised.
Please click on image for an enlarged view
This is technology that can monitor small changes in the extracellular volume of an arm or leg. It is a very accurate and sensitive tool that is fast becoming the internationally recognised "gold standard" for detecting early signs of lymphoedema, sometimes up to several months before a difference in size is noticed.
Small currents undetectable by the client are passed through several electrodes on the hands and feet. The greater the degree of fluid present, the more easily the current travels. The unit converts the measurements of the affected and non-affected limb into a score, which indicates the degree of swelling present.
Australian technology devised by Impedimed Pty Ltd has evolved now from a handheld device to a stand-on unit known as the 'SOZO', which is the world's most advanced , non-invasive tool to give the therapist information about limb fluid status and tissue composition. It takes less than a minute to obtain a measurement.
Our clinic was one of the first in Australia to use the original handheld device in 2007 and we continue to provide the latest surveillance technology now with the use of our SOZO unit to monitor lymphoedema status in addition to using circumferential measurements with a tape measure.
If we are in a position to assess a client soon after surgery, it also provides us with a "baseline" reading so that early detection of small increases in fluid volume enables early intervention. Research indicates that this improves the long term outcomes for clients and appropriate treatment strategies may even be able to reverse early volume increases.
Reference
Cornish BH, Chapman M, Hirst C et al (2001) Early diagnosis of lymphoedema using multiple frequency bioimpedence J of Lymphology34(1):2-11