News
Needing help with weeping infected swollen legs?
Posted on August 13, 2025
Do you or a family member suffer from one or more of the following issues?
- Overweight, heavy swollen legs
- Difficulty with walking or getting in and out of bed because of heavy legs. Becoming wheel-chair bound.
- Persistent ‘weeping’ legs.
- Slow-healing, infected and sometimes painful open wounds.
- Repeated infections (cellulitis) in affected legs.
- Been to multiple doctors and placed on water tablets, diuretics (Frusemide) but not much success. Became house-bound because cannot make it to the toilet quickly so would have an accident if outside.
You do not need a miracle, LK Lymphoedema Centre (see clinic flyer for more information) can help you with a Lymphoedema Management Plan that will be both clinically appropriate, effective and yet safe in application. No referrals required but may be advisable if the individual has multiple medical conditions. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has a resource document (2024) covering What is Lymphoedema? that you may wish to discuss with your GP.
Call the LK Lymphoedema Centre on 08 9383 3838 if any queries or book online.
Where is LK Lymphoedema Centre located now?
Posted on
No longer in Claremont or Cottesloe. Since May 2024 LK Lymphoedema Centre moved and relocated to St John of God Mount Lawley, within Mercy Physiotherapy. Enter via Entrance D, off Ellesmere Road. Download the site map here. Video guide may be of help.
Parking information here. Contact remains 08 9383 3838.
Lung Cancer Group resource
Posted on August 12, 2025
There is a wonderful resource online from USA’s Lung Cancer Group, check out their link.
If you are a medical practitioner and is looking for research in this area, Associate Professor Vinicius Cavalheri has been prolific with his Lung Cancer research. He is at Curtin University’s Faculty of Health Science and as Allied Health Research Director at South Metropolitan Health Service in Western Australia. Check out his Curtin University profile!
Update on Lipoedema 2025
Posted on July 28, 2025
Lipoedema or lipedema is a syndrome or chronic condition where there is abnormal (disproportonate) symmetrical accumulation of fat tissue in both legs compared to the upper body coupled with abnormal pain. That is, tenderness to touch in those tissues. This can sometimes be in the arms. Usually, the feet and hands are spared. However, Lipoedema is NOT overweight nor obesity though these may present with Lipoedema. My earlier blog entry in 2019 on Lipoedema, see link.
Diagnosis is still in its infancy, there is no specific blood test or objective investigation or imaging to confirm Lipoedema. Medical practitioners may use ultrasound/imaging to help and blood tests to rule out other potential conditions at the initial stage. This is essential so go see your doctor/specialist/GP first, bring the document from RACGP with you. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has a pdf document (2024) that touches briefly on Lipoedema. Henceforth, once there is medical clearance from your doctor/GP, diagnosis is usually based on clinical sign and symptoms upon patient report and physical examination later.
At LK Lymphoedema Centre, our Lipoedema conservative (non-surgical) treatment focuses on strategies to manage signs and symptoms to the individual’s mobility, comfort and importantly, your quality of life. Call us on 08 9383 3838 or book online. More details via the LK Lymphoedema Centre Flyer.
ABC Australia ‘s report and youtube video elaborated.
Help! What do I do with swelling (Lymphoedema) after my Prostate Cancer?
Posted on July 1, 2023
Physiotherapist, Dr Jo Milios & Sexologist/Nurse Practitioner, Melissa Hadley Barrett based in Perth, Western Australia host The Penis Project. It is a podcast that covers topics on men’s private parts. Podcast Episode 138 from The Penis Project, titled ” Meet Brian and Vanessa – Recovery, Injections, Lymphedema, and 2-3 rounds” shares some insights on their journey dealing with the challenge. I am so proud and thank the hosts and Brian for coming forth to share such intimate details so that others can learn from his experience.
There is hope for management of lymphoedema swelling impacting on sexual function following Prostate Cancer. Do not despair, you can continue to have a quality of life, just work with your lymphoedema therapist.
Lipoedema can be painful, manageable and is NOT obesity
Posted on April 1, 2021
People suffering from Lipoedema have often been mistaken as suffering from Lymphoedema or obese. My earlier blog entry “What is Lipoedema?” describes the condition briefly.
Please read a summary Bertsch 2020-Lipoedema – myths and facts, Part 5 (2020) by the European Lipoedema Forum consensus for more information. Here are some videos on patients with Lipoedema by Lipoedema UK (2019) and Channel Nine news 30 March 2021.
What is lymphoedema? FAQs on Lymphoedema and Cancer
Posted on March 1, 2021
March 2021 is Lymphoedema Awareness Month once again. There are books available via iTunes’ Apple Books covering Lymphoedema. There is one from Professor Peter Mortimer on Lets Talk Lymphoedema (2017). This time I would like to share my thoughts on a Book by Dr Teresa Lee ( a physiotherapist, NSW Australia).
Her E-book is available on Apple iBooks and Amazon.com.au and print copies available at navlymph.onlineweb.shop
Navigating Lymphoedema – A Guide for Cancer Survivors (2020 version)
Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of the book from the author. However, the comments are mine.
I would like to congratulate Teresa for taking on such a huge task of collating and writing up a much-needed resource tailored for cancer survivors with lymphoedema based in Australia, particularly for those with breast cancer. Teresa’s book is well-structured, logical, and comprehensive in coverage of the commonly asked topics. She covered each topic with the salient points in an unbiased concise easy-to-understand style. I particularly like the “Did you know” snippets that attempt to address points of debate or frequently asked questions.
Lymphoedema is not an easy condition to explain or write about and I feel this book is targeted towards people with a higher level of health literacy. Although there are pictures and illustrations throughout the book, I would have loved to see more to enhance the visual appeal. Interestingly, in a few instances, I feel that Teresa is sharing her thoughts one-on-one in detail with us as health professionals. Hence, this book may also be suitable for health professionals new to lymphoedema or who want to know more about the condition.
Overall, this is a value-for-money book that I would not hesitate to recommend to those clients who seek more in-depth information, education, and a sense of empowerment to navigate their lymphoedema journey. A labour of love, thank you Teresa for your effort.
Her E-book is available on Apple iBooks and Amazon.com.au and print copies available at navlymph.onlineweb.shop
Navigating Lymphoedema – A Guide for Cancer Survivors
Is it safe to receive COVID-19 vaccination when you have lymphoedema?
Posted on February 27, 2021
I had a query from my lymphoedema patient this week who was concerned about receiving her Covid-19 vaccination. So I thought it is timely to share a Consensus Document on Covid-19 Vaccination for patients with lymphoedema courtesy from UK. Specifically to acknowledge the experts’ work from the British Lymphology Society and The Lymphoedema Support Network.
This consensus document aimed to give advice regarding vaccination to patients with lymphoedema, based on the best available evidence and expert opinion.
Lymphoedema: Potential for Change
Posted on March 21, 2020
Weight loss and prescribed compression stockings
March is Lymphoedema Awareness Month. Thanks to Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) for the chance for me (Linda Khong together with Christine Smith) to share some updates in APA InMotion with Lymphoedema: Potential for Change. Cancer-related lymphoedema only contributes to a small percentage of lymphoedema/chronic oedema cases worldwide. So what are the risk factors to chronic oedema or lymphoedema?
Introduction: Evidence has identified the cause and development of lymphoedema as a result of cancer treatment. In reality, cancer-related lymphoedema only contributes to a small percentage of lymphoedema cases worldwide. Improving awareness and an understanding of other chronic oedemas will contribute to improving outcomes for these patients. The information presented
in this article and the skills of physiotherapists can offer potential change for patients who consider their chronic oedemas as something they have to live with. If you prefer, download the PDF article with the reference list.
What may happen if I do nothing with my leg swelling?
Posted on December 14, 2019
This is the first paper of my research in lymphoedema conducted at one of Western Australia’s hospital with the help of a grant.
I feel privileged that the participants have taken the time to speak to me about their experience and the challenges they face. They are a group of 6 patients that have been disengaged or for several reasons refrained from management of their chronic swelling for over a decade. Basically, at this stage of research, I feel that their quality of life is abysmal and nearing disability. However, I am continuing with the analysis of the data. For those interested, please click on the following link.
Khong, LAM, Buckley A, Johnson W, Cavalheri, V. (2019). Lower limb chronic edema management program: Perspectives of disengaged patients on challenges, enablers and barriers to program attendance and adherence. PLoS ONE 14(11): e0219875. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219875
