The Lymphoedema Association of Australia

This website is undergoing updating and change at the moment under the guidance of Professor Neil Piller from the Lymphoedema Assessment Clinic in the Department of Surgery at Flinders Medical Centre.  We regret that during this time that e-mail communication will not be possible.
The site has previously not been updated since 2003 due to the unfortunate long term illness of Dr Judith Casley-Smith, however the changes made over the next months will see it again developing into a currently relevant and informative information source.
Details of the status of the Lymphoedema Association of Australia will be made available on this site once decisions are made.
In 2003 the Lymphoedema Association of Australia had as its key persons
Patron: His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd)
Founding Chairman: Dr. John R. Casley-Smith†,D.Sc.,M.D.,M.D. (h.c.)
Chairman: Dr. Judith R. Casley-Smith, Ph.D.,M.A., M.D. (h.c),Prof.(h.c. multi).
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer : G. Sturman
Welcome
The Lymphoedema Association of Australia was founded in 1982 to encourage research into lymphoedema (lymphedema) and its treatment, and to spread information about these among doctors, therapists and patients.
This collection contains a summary of information about lymphoedema, its causes and treatment, and related matters, together with essential reference material. It is as up to date and as accurate (at 2003) and we will welcome suggestions and corrections once we have made some basic modifications to it.  
It is intended for patients, therapists and doctors. So some of its Sections may not be of much interest to one or more of these groups. On the other hand, we often find that patients are interested in, and find helpful, material intended primarily for medical people, and vice versa (although obviously for differing reasons).
It must be realized that this current collection is compiled by John and Judith Casley-Smith and represents their views. Others may well disagree about the content or ideas expressed and they may well be correct. However the Casley-Smiths have been working on lymphoedema since 1959 and have been in contact with most of the principle workers in this field all over the world, so we hope that most will agree.
This collection is based on a booklet 'Information about Lymphoedema for Patients', now in its 8th. Edition.
This collection contains many suggestions about treatment. Patients should discuss these with their doctors and obtain their agreement before doing anything we suggest. This is not only a professional courtesy, but allows the doctor to evaluate the most appropriate treatment for a particular patient and what is best for them, as an individual.
The most important things to realise are that lymphoedema is quite common, that it can and should be treated, and that it can be much reduced (although never completely cured, even if the limb eventually seems quite normal).
If lymphoedema is not treated it gradually worsens and you will not only be inconvenienced by 'heavy' and sometimes painful limb(s), but may have an ongoing problem with infections, both mycotic (e.g. fungal, tinnea) and bacterial (e.g. erysipelas, cellulitis). This collection gives:

• an explanation of what lymphoedema is, its causes and consequences
• an overview of the treatment of lymphoedema
• an introduction to Complex Physical Therapy (C.P.T.) for lymphoedema - also called Complex Lymphatic or Lymphedema Therapy (C.L.T.), or Complex Decongestive Physical Therapy (C.D.P.T.)
• a list of Therapists (Australia, U.S.A., U.K., South Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore) who have been trained by the Casley-Smiths in C.P.T. (C.L.T.) and those with similar training (these only in Australia).
• an introduction to benzo-pyrones (coumarin, Lodema, Paroven/Venoruton, Venalot) and their suppliers
• an introduction to other treatments for lymphoedema; some may be helpful, some are dangerous!
• a review of Compression Bandages and Compression Garments, and some suppliers of bandages and garments (Australia & U.S.A.). These are by no means all, but just those we have examined and can recommend, at least for some cases
• a list of do's and dont's (for those with lymphoedema and those at risk from it)
• a list of suitable skin care products (Australia, U.S.A & Europe) - these are by no means all, but just those we have examined and can recommend
• the results of treatment and a report of the first 618 limbs treated in Australia
• a guide to how to choose the best treatment for you
• a guide of how to choose the best therapist to provide this treatment for you
• some treatment centres etc. outside of Australia (not a complete list by any means, it is just to help people travelling abroad)
• a resumé of The Lymphoedema Association of Australia and
• a list of Support Groups (in Australia, the U.S.A. and some other countries)
• the most recent Newsletter from the L.A.A.
• the previous years Newsletter from the L.A.A.
• a list of books, videos, cassettes some of which may be still be available from the L.A.A. (contact Prof Neil Piller on neil.piller@flinders.edu.au for further information about their availability).

We hope that some or all of this information will be useful to you. You will appreciate that it is impossible to cover every aspect upon which someone may need information. The best place for more information is one's doctor or therapist. Some local support groups are also good for information about details pertinent to one's local situation.
The L.A.A. has always been willing to try to help anyone, anywhere in the world. This web site will now form the main basis of this information service.  It may be that in the future we can again offer a personal contact service via email, phone or fax  but for the moment that is suspended. L.A.A. is a small, non-profit charity. Details about how you can help will be posted on this site in the near future.