NATIONAL LYMPHEDEMA NETWORK

By Joachim E. Zuther, CI. 2009.

Foreward to the Second Edition

As Executive Director and Founder of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN®), it is with sincere pleasure that I write the foreword for the 2nd Edition of Lymphedema Management: The Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners.

Joachim E. Zuther (Joe) and I first met in 1995 during a bandaging workshop in San Francisco. Intrigued with the lymphatic system, but puzzled by the lack of knowledge on the subject, we clearly had a coincidental vision: to create awareness and educate professionals in this fascinating field of medicine; to support and help the untold number of patients with swollen limbs from various underlying causes; and, most importantly, to offer adequate treatment for this often debilitating condition.

Since then, we have seen much of our vision achieved, specifically, several thousand Certified Lymphedema Therapists, noticeable interest from physicians in various disciplines, tremendous progress in both basic and clinical researchperformed in academic Institutions and now published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Joe Zuther has played a pivotal role in creating lymphedema awareness through the dissemination of current information, in addition to the education of professionals through his establishment of the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, training thousands of physical and occupational therapists, nurses, massage therapists and physicians. As a result, we now have hundreds of established lymphedema clinics in universities, hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout the U.S. Numerous physicians have chosen to include the lymphatic system into their existing practice.

However, Joe recognized that the teaching on the subject of the lymphatic system in U.S. medical schools is minimal, at most. He knew that the publishing of a textbook was an absolute prerequisite to the education of all disciplines.

Joe published his first edition in 2005, which soon became a tremendous asset to the lymphedema community, widely used in lymphedema clinics, training courses and other medical practicesworldwide. The text is well written and superbly organized, with color-coded tabs identifying each chapter for quick reference. The chapters are constructed in a logical manner, beginning with anatomy, followed by physiology and pathophysiology of the lymphatic system, co-morbidities and treatment, as well as administrative and documentation issues. Illustrations, photographs and tables throughout the book authenticate and support the text. An excellent glossary adds ease to locating specific terminology. In the four years since publication of the First Edition, there has been a huge movement toward more sophistication among therapists and researchersstudying the lymphatic system in greater depth and identifying additional co-morbidities, which affect the lymph system and cause swelling; new and important information that needed to be included in the education of the lymphatic system.

Acknowledging the need for updating and revising some of the first edition chapters, as well as adding new topics and current information on various subjects, Joe set to the task of editing in preparation of the publishing of the Second Edition.

There is an informative new chapter covering Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) that describes the anatomy, physiology, evaluation and treatment for this obscure phenomenon. Klippel-Trenaunay (KTS) and Park Weber Syndrome (PWS) also have been included in the new edition. KTS is an often-misunderstood and under-treated vascular and lymphatic anomaly, seen more frequently in lymphedema clinics. The chapter on wounds has been revised and covers, in depth, Common Skin Changes and Wound Types Associated with Chronic Lymphedema.

I applaud and admire my friend and colleague, Joe Zuther, for the years of his dedication, unwavering belief in his vision, and for authoring the 2nd Edition of his lifetime work.

Saskia R.J. Thiadens, RN