Diagnostics
As a specialist in lymphatic health and complex post-surgical recovery, I begin every first consultation with a comprehensive diagnostic assessment to ensure precision and safety. My diagnostic approach integrates advanced technology with clinical assessment. I use tools such as the Mesi mTablet ABPI system to evaluate arterial sufficiency and rule out contraindications to compression within minutes, alongside the hand held LymphScanner to measure fluid content and assess tissue composition at a cellular level.
These objective measurements, combined with a clinical examination and patient history, allow me to identify the root cause of swelling, detect early signs of lymphatic dysfunction, and monitor tissue response over time.
This diagnostic foundation enables me to develop highly individualised treatment plans, based on accurate, real-time data and a deep understanding of your body’s unique presentation. My aim is to provide evidence-based care that evolves with your progress, ensuring optimal outcomes at every stage.
I use state-of-the-art technology to detect, calculate differences in limb volumes & monitor progress. I also have a Wireless MTablet ABI to detect arterial disease within minutes, ensuring that you are safe to treat.
The Lymph Scanner
The LymphScanner is a small, portable, measuring device, which detects the water content in tissues. It is held onto, or scanned over, the skin and generates an electromagnetic wave to a depth of 2.5mm, which is reflected back, to instantly display a reading of the percentage of water in the tissue below (0-99%).
The LymphScanner is used to effectively detect the presence of lymphoedema in all awkward-to-measure areas like the face, neck, underarm (axilla), breast, trunk and groin. It can accurately map where the oedema begins and ends, assess how much oedema is present and evaluate where the best lymphatic drainage routes are, to plan the most effective treatments.
Mesi mTablet Wireless ABI system
Before compression therapy can be given, it is important to test that you do not suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). 70% of people with PAD are unaware that they have it, as symptoms progress slowly, over time. PAD narrows and hardens blood vessels leading from the heart to the extremities and restricts blood flow. It is caused by atherosclerosis, which are fatty plaques of cholesterol which adhere along the vessel walls. Compressing these narrowed arteries is dangerous and can compromise blood supply, make PAD symptoms worse or cause blockages.
Symptoms of PAD
- Leg Cramps while walking
- Night cramps, discomfort whilst lying down
- Acute nerve and muscular pain
- Swelling/oedema of the legs and feet
- Cold feet
- Slow healing wounds on the feet and toes
- Unhealthy, slow growing toe nails
- Shiny skin on the calves
- Lack of hair growth on the legs
- Weak or no pulse in the feet
The Mesi mTablet tests for PAD in minutes, by calculating the Ankle Brachial Index. It supersedes the Doppler test, which manually measured different pulses and took 30 minutes to complete. Cuffs are placed around the arms and ankles, which are automatically inflated and the readings are instantly transmitted to the tablet, using bluetooth technology. Readings of >0.5-<0.8 are safe to compress at class 1, readings >0.8- <1.3 denote that compression therapy is safe to use, whereas > 1.3 could also suggest that PAD is present, especially in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced renal failure and heart disease, where readings can be misleadingly high.
