‘Leaky legs’: strategies for the treatment and management of lower-limb lymphorrhoea

Anderson, Irene

Irene Anderson is national teaching fellow and principal lecturer (tissue viability), and reader in learning and teaching in healthcare practice at the School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire.

Citation Anderson I (2016) ‘Leaky legs’: strategies for the treatment and management of lower-limb lymphorrhoea. Nursing Times; 113: 1, 50–53.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Key points

1 Grossly oedematous and leaking legs present management challenges for both nurses and patients

2 Patients with lymphorrhoea experience enormous medical and practical issues

3 The nurse's role is to address the cause of lymphovenous disease while reducing fluid accumulation, leg swelling and risk of infection

4 If cellulitis occurs it must be treated as a priority

5 Proactive management of lower-limb oedema as soon as it presents helps to avoid complications such as lymphorrhoea

Nursing Times 113(1):p 50-53, January 2017.

Abstract

The management of lower-limb lymphovenous disease and lymphorrhoea (‘leaky legs’) is challenging. The root cause of the disease must be addressed and the risk of infection minimised while symptoms are treated with compression, dressings, topical agents and barrier products. Lymphorrhoea causes significant medical and practical issues for patients and nurses, but can be avoided if lower-limb oedema is treated early. This article describes the pathophysiology, management strategies, and clinical and practical issues associated with the condition; it updates an article published in 2003.

In this article…

• The pathophysiology of lower-limb oedema/lymphovenous disease

• Clinical and practical challenges of caring for patients with lymphorrhoea

• Treatment and management strategies to avoid complications