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Rheumatoid lymphedema is known as a rare type of secondary lymphedema, and usually appears many years after the onset of the rheumatic disease, mostly in middle-aged women. Although several hypotheses have been suggested about this disease, but none clearly explained the etiology or pathophysiology of rheumatoid lymphedema. Also there have been several reports of treatment for rheumatoid lymphedema, but mainly on the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, which were about low dose steroid and etanercept. We report a rheumatoid lymphedema case of a 61-year-old man with bilateral lower limb lymphedema. Although he was taking low dose steroids and etanercept to manage rheumatoid arthritis, his lower limb lymphedema was gradually aggravated and finally referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Then he received complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT), and his lymphedema improved rapidly within a few days. In this case, he was already taking low dose steroids and etanercept, both of which were known to be effective, but CDPT seemed to be faster and more effective. We hope that this case will increase the interest of lymphedema in patients with rheumatologic disease, and we desire that future research will provide guidance on more effective diagnosis and treatment for rheumatoid lymphedema. |
