Limphoedema project
Lymphedema is a disabling pathology that presents chronic swelling, and generally occurs in one or more arms or legs, causing a feeling of heaviness and a decreased mobility, resulting in a loss of the patient’s quality of life.The Jaime Planas Foundation collaborates with patients with limited economic resources that suffer from lymphedema.
Clínica Planas includes a Comprehensive Unit of Lymphedema Treatment, a new concept of joint effort where all aspects are taken into account, starting with a complete diagnosis and assessment of the anatomical-functional damage of the lymphatic system, in order to prepare the best comprehensive treatment and therapeutic approach.
To achieve this objective, we have a large team of professionals led by Dr. Jaume Masià, an experienced plastic surgeon in lymphedema, and Francisco Millán, who is an expert in advanced physiotherapy of lymphedema. We also count on a skilled nursing and a multidisciplinary medical team with specialists in vascular, nutrition, physical exercise and emotional support therapy. Together with the donors generosity makes this project possible, and helps improving the quality of life of people suffering from this difficult pathology.
One of the cases the Foundation is really proud of is Regina, a 8-year old girl affected by lymphedema in her left lower limb that prevented her from walking as a sequelae of the Klippel-Trenauna Syndrome. It consists of the abnormal development of blood vessels, soft tissues, bones and lymphatic system; and in her case, also with inverted feed, which made her to walk with the dorsum of the foot.
After a complete study of the vascular lymphatic situation of the affected extremity, and the assessment of the surgical possibilities due to the patient’s limitations, it was decided to follow an intensive treatment of rehabilitation and advanced physiotherapy (Godoy Method) during 3 weeks. Next, with Dr. Ullot’s collaboration (a specialised orthopaedic surgeon), a splinting procedure was carried out with the purpose of achieving the foot retroversion and the plantigrade feet posture. A week later, the patient underwent surgery to remove the soft tissue (excess skin) from the dorsum of the foot and to section the Achilles heel, as well as to stabilize the toes with Kischner needles, allowing the plantigrade feet posture in the end.
Three months after the treatment, Regina was able to go back home. We achieved the reduction of her lymphedema in more than a 70% as well as her deformity, and now she is able to walk with her foot sole. She will be able to develop and lead a normal life, with minimal physical limitations taking into account the type of alteration she suffers from.
Considering that Regina was going to have her extremity disarticulated in a well-known North American hospital, the fact of going back home with a really improved lymphedema and walking on her foot is an indescribable satisfaction for the whole team involved in her treatment and recovery.
Clinical Session
Nursing and special care team
Nursing and special care team
