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If your child’s lymphoedema is in an arm or a leg, then he or she will be measured for a compression garment which will help to maintain the swelling and keep control.  Compression is an important part of treatment for lymphoedema as it helps to drain away the excess fluid. This works by putting pressure on the tissues to stop fluid build-up and help the fluid drain from the affected limb.

Understanding compression can be confusing which is why you need to work with your lymphoedema specialist.  Compression for your child will made to measure ( other terms used custom made or bespoke)   Your child will be measured this will be done by measuring several areas of the affected limb then a prescription of the sizes will be then sent to one of the compression manufacturers for the garment to be made.   Therefore, I recommend strongly that you need to be measured by a lymphoedema specialist as compression comes in a different class, size, strength, and styles.  The type of compression your child will wear is most likely to be flat knit although circular knit may be available.  As your child will grow quickly they will be need to be measured and new prescriptions issued more often than those offered to adults.  

Off the shelf compression is unlikely to be suitable until adulthood

Off the shelf compression is made to the standard measurements for your child it will be the same size every time and will match up to the manufactures sizing chart.  There are different types of compression.

• Flat Knit - Flat knit compression garments are made on a flatbed computerised knitting machine which is programmed to your exact measurements and these garments may have a seam.
• Circular Knit - Circular knit garments are seamless and are knitted on a computerised cylinder machine.  They are now made in different colours and patterns and are often in a thinner material.  Suitable for limbs that are more regular in shape and where the skin is supple and hasn't broken down. Available on prescription or off the shelf.  Children like the fact they can choose their own colour.
• Cut and Shut (Expand)

Graduated compression – the most commonly used compression is graduated – from high pressure at the far end of the limb and to low pressure at the near end (Expand)

Multi-layer Lymphoedema Bandaging is not usually applied to children if it is used then it should be under the supervision from a trained, skilled lymphoedema specialist.  However are support conversations have revealed both from lymphoedemas specialits 

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