Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule an appointment?
How do I schedule an appointment for an evaluation at Klose Lymphedema Care?
Do I need a physician’s referral for my first visit at Klose Lymphedema Care?
Does insurance cover treatment for lymphedema?
How do I schedule an appointment for an evaluation at Klose Lymphedema Care?
Do I need a physician’s referral for my first visit at Klose Lymphedema Care?
Does insurance cover treatment for lymphedema?
What can I expect from a typical treatment session?
How long does a treatment plan for lymphedema typically last?
How long does a treatment plan for lymphedema typically last?
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is swelling as a result of abnormal accumulation of protein rich fluid. Affected areas may include the extremities, face, neck, back, breasts, abdomen or genitals. Primary lymphedema may be present at birth or develop later in life due to lymphatic malformations or dysfunctions. Secondary lymphedema is typically the result of lymph node removal, radiation therapy, injury or other trauma.
Lymphedema is swelling as a result of abnormal accumulation of protein rich fluid. Affected areas may include the extremities, face, neck, back, breasts, abdomen or genitals. Primary lymphedema may be present at birth or develop later in life due to lymphatic malformations or dysfunctions. Secondary lymphedema is typically the result of lymph node removal, radiation therapy, injury or other trauma.
What are my risk factors for lymphedema?
• Surgery that includes lymph node removal
• Radiation therapy for cancer treatment
• Obesity
• Trauma to the lymphatic system
• Vascular disease such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
• Surgery that includes lymph node removal
• Radiation therapy for cancer treatment
• Obesity
• Trauma to the lymphatic system
• Vascular disease such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
Do I have lymphedema?
Signs and symptoms include:
• Swelling in your extremity or other area
• Heavy feeling in your limb
• Recurring infections such as cellulitis
• Your clothing is noticeably tighter on the affected side
• Inability to wear rings, bracelets or watches
Signs and symptoms include:
• Swelling in your extremity or other area
• Heavy feeling in your limb
• Recurring infections such as cellulitis
• Your clothing is noticeably tighter on the affected side
• Inability to wear rings, bracelets or watches
I had cancer treatment a long time ago. Am I still at risk for lymphedema?
The onset of lymphedema is unpredictable. It can develop slowly over time, immediately after surgery or during radiation treatment. Lymphedema most often occurs in the first 2-3 years after treatment but can develop as many as 30 years later.
The onset of lymphedema is unpredictable. It can develop slowly over time, immediately after surgery or during radiation treatment. Lymphedema most often occurs in the first 2-3 years after treatment but can develop as many as 30 years later.
When should I seek medical treatment for lymphedema?
To decrease the risk of the progression of lymphedema, you should start treatment as soon as possible. This will also reduce your risk for infections like cellulitis. (Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection that may appear swollen, red, hot and/or tender.)
To decrease the risk of the progression of lymphedema, you should start treatment as soon as possible. This will also reduce your risk for infections like cellulitis. (Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection that may appear swollen, red, hot and/or tender.)
When should I schedule an appointment?
• Prior to surgery for education regarding lymphedema precautions and risks and/or for baseline measurements.
• Prior to radiation therapy for education regarding lymphedema precautions and risks and/or for baseline measurements.
• Post surgery for education regarding lymphedema precautions and risks and/or for an assessment regarding possible symptoms.
• If you experience any symptoms of swelling, heaviness in the limb, or recurring infections.
• Prior to surgery for education regarding lymphedema precautions and risks and/or for baseline measurements.
• Prior to radiation therapy for education regarding lymphedema precautions and risks and/or for baseline measurements.
• Post surgery for education regarding lymphedema precautions and risks and/or for an assessment regarding possible symptoms.
• If you experience any symptoms of swelling, heaviness in the limb, or recurring infections.
How do I schedule an appointment for a lymphedema evaluation at Klose Lymphedema Care?
Please call 303-245-0333 and speak with our office manager to schedule your initial appointment.
Please call 303-245-0333 and speak with our office manager to schedule your initial appointment.
Do I need a physician’s referral for my first visit at Klose Lymphedema Care?
A referral for your first visit is not mandatory. Our therapists prefer to work closely with your medical team and will request a referral for treatment before or after your initial evaluation.
A referral for your first visit is not mandatory. Our therapists prefer to work closely with your medical team and will request a referral for treatment before or after your initial evaluation.
Does insurance cover treatment for lymphedema?
Insurance coverage and reimbursement depends on the policy / coverage you have with your insurance provider and they will make final determinations regarding your reimbursement. We are happy to file insurance on your behalf for treatment and for most garments. Since we are an “Out of Network” provider, we charge you at the time of your order / services. You may also submit the invoice to your insurance company as it will contain the necessary diagnosis and treatment or garment codes needed by the insurance company to consider reimbursement to you.
Insurance coverage and reimbursement depends on the policy / coverage you have with your insurance provider and they will make final determinations regarding your reimbursement. We are happy to file insurance on your behalf for treatment and for most garments. Since we are an “Out of Network” provider, we charge you at the time of your order / services. You may also submit the invoice to your insurance company as it will contain the necessary diagnosis and treatment or garment codes needed by the insurance company to consider reimbursement to you.
What can I expect from a visit to Klose Lymphedema Care?
You will be evaluated by a Certified Lymphedema Therapist who will perform a thorough review of your medical and lymphedema histories. The evaluation typically requires 60-90 minutes and may include hands-on therapy. Your therapist will work with you to establish a comprehensive treatment plan to manage your lymphedema symptoms.
You will be evaluated by a Certified Lymphedema Therapist who will perform a thorough review of your medical and lymphedema histories. The evaluation typically requires 60-90 minutes and may include hands-on therapy. Your therapist will work with you to establish a comprehensive treatment plan to manage your lymphedema symptoms.
What should I bring to an appointment involving lymphedema of my arm?
Please bring/wear a tank top for the evaluation. If your evaluation or treatment sessions involve compression bandaging for swelling, please bring a shirt or jacket with sleeves large enough to fit over the bulky bandaging system.
Please bring/wear a tank top for the evaluation. If your evaluation or treatment sessions involve compression bandaging for swelling, please bring a shirt or jacket with sleeves large enough to fit over the bulky bandaging system.
What should I bring to an appointment involving lymphedema of my leg?
Please bring/wear shorts for the evaluation. If your evaluation or treatment sessions involve compression bandaging for swelling, please bring loose pants/shorts and roomy shoes (crocs or sandals) to fit with the bulky bandaging system.
Please bring/wear shorts for the evaluation. If your evaluation or treatment sessions involve compression bandaging for swelling, please bring loose pants/shorts and roomy shoes (crocs or sandals) to fit with the bulky bandaging system.
What can I expect from a typical treatment session?
A session involving manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) includes a very light massage technique that may start with treatment at your neck and could include treatment at your chest, abdomen, arms or legs. During a session, we usually perform MLD for 35-45 minutes and we may spend 15-20 minutes applying multilayer compression bandaging to the involved limb.
A session involving manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) includes a very light massage technique that may start with treatment at your neck and could include treatment at your chest, abdomen, arms or legs. During a session, we usually perform MLD for 35-45 minutes and we may spend 15-20 minutes applying multilayer compression bandaging to the involved limb.
How long does a treatment plan for lymphedema typically last?
Many patients will undergo treatment for lymphedema from 4-8 weeks attending treatment sessions between 3-5 times per week depending on the severity of your lymphedema
Many patients will undergo treatment for lymphedema from 4-8 weeks attending treatment sessions between 3-5 times per week depending on the severity of your lymphedema