Glossary of Terms
Activities of Daily Living (ADL):
is a way to describe the functional status of a person. These are the activities
that are fundamental for self care.
Induration:
The process of becoming extremely firm or hard, or having such physical features.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL):
Secondary level of activities (different from ADLs, such as eating, dressing, and bathing)
important to daily living, such as cooking, writing, and driving.
Lymphangion pump:
The lymphatic system returns interstitial fluid to the central venous circulation, in
part, by the cyclical contraction of a series of "lymphangion pumps" in a lymphatic
vessel. This is "the functional unit" of the entire lymphatic system. When this unit
stops pumping it creates a 'backflow' that sets up the entire lymphedematous process.
By increasing the efficiency of the lymphangion pump, it, in effect, gets the entire system
"pumping" again.
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy:
This involves a specific protocol that addresses not only nullification of the trigger
point but also the muscle, fascia and the perpetuation of the pain syndrome.
National Lymphedema Network:
is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded in 1988 to provide
education and guidance to lymphedema patients, health care professionals and the general
public by disseminating information on the prevention and management of primary and
secondary lymphedema.
Pathophysiology:
the changes in function that are caused by a condition or disease.
Perometer:
A device used to assess the size and composition of a lymphoedematous limb.
The limb is inserted into a vertically or horizontally orientated frame that emits two
parallel arrays of infra-red light beams at right-angles to each other. The limb casts
shadows that are sensed by receivers on the opposite two sides of the frame to the light
emitters, and two transverse diameters of a 'slice' of the limb are measured.
The frame is moved along the length of the limb, enabling similar measurements to be made
every 3 mm. A circular or elliptical cross-section is assumed, and volume calculated accordingly.
Limb volume, percentage difference between selected measurements, contour, and
cross-sectional area can be displayed.
Scar Tissue:
Lymphedema is associated with thickening of the skin and induration (hardening) of the
affected area. This 'hardening' is due to the proliferation of the high-protein
edema accumulating in the connective tissue.
Trigger Point:
Trigger points are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are
associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. The palpable nodules
are said to be small contraction knots and a common cause of pain. Compression of a
trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain or motor dysfunction.
Ultrafiltration:
The filtration of a colloidal substance through a semipermeable medium that allows only
the passage of small molecules. The filtration of a colloidal substance through a
semipermeable medium that allows only the passage of small molecules.
Ultrafiltration rate:
The rate of speed of filtration through a semipermeable membrane. As it relates to
lymphedema and bandaging: by applying an external force (the short stretch compression
bandages) this reduces the Ultrafiltration rate, which in turn reduces the amount of
fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces in the tissues. (In regards to lymphedema
it is easiest to consider anything that reduces the Ultrafiltration rate as being good,
and anything that speeds is up as being bad.).