Detecting and Reversing Lymphedema

Using your hands and feet—this high-tech machine is able to determine your risk for lymphedema in just a few seconds. “The SOZO machine is a bioimpedance device that utilizes a low energy current that can detect fluid and tissue volumes in the body,” explained Denise Pfeiffer, a physical therapist with Lee Health.

The SOZO is used in the Regional Cancer Center’s rehabilitation program as a way for therapists to check patients for lymphedema. “Lymphedema is a condition that occurs for some patients when they have a removal of lymph nodes or have radiation treatment near a specific area of the body that can interrupt the flow of the lymphatic fluid,” she said.

Lymphedema is a backup of lymphatic fluid that commonly occurs in patients with head and neck cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, gynecological cancers, and melanoma. “Lymphedema if it is not caught in its earliest phase, which the SOZO device allows us to do, it can become a chronic long-term condition that reduces the quality of life as well as creates many functional and physical impairments for patients,” said Pfeiffer.

The SOZO can detect the signs of lymphedema as early as four to ten months before a patient develops symptoms. “The most common symptom that we see is swelling,” she said.

The sooner lymphedema is detected and addressed, the better the outcome.


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Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.

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