MacDonald's Prescriptions & Medical Supplies

Lymphapress for treatment of primary
and secondary lymphedema

Lymphedema can result in enlarged, disfigured limbs, which are susceptible to recurrent infections and often may limit the lifestyle of the patient. Unfortunately there is no cure for lymphedema. However, Macdonalds Prescriptions #2, offers a treatment that improves the quality of life for primary or secondary lymphedema patients.

The LymphaPress multicompartmental pressure system offers a distinct advantage over unicompartmental systems, often used in the treatment of lymphedema. The unicompartmental system distributes pressure in all directions, according to

LaPlace's Law, "so that only part of the desired pressure reaches the lymph proximally via the lymph vessels, with resultant diminished effectiveness." ¹This permits a back flow to areas of decreased tissue resistance in the extremity. "It has been observed that the thigh and arm levels respond poorly to this low-pressure, unicompartmental device."² In addition, "the moving pressure cycle in the unicompartmental sleeve is of too long duration, causing great discomfort to the patient, thereby preventing the advantages that could be gained by the use of high pressure."3

LymphaPress is superior

Using physiological principles, pressure is established from the distal area of the LymphaPress sleeve and progresses until the entire sleeve is sequentially inflated. When the entire sleeve is filled with air, all the cells automatically empty themselves, and the cycle begins again. Fluid is therefore moved in a distal to proximal direction.

The unique overlapping of the air compartments within the sleeve guarantees a gradient pressure and prevents any gaps between the functioning compartments . . . thus creating a "milking effect on the affected limb, which produces almost the same quantity of lymphatic fluid as in a health limb." ⁴

Overlapping air compartments