On-Demand
1.0 Hours
Available On-Demand until 01/01/2029
Through the use of case studies, this course will equip therapists with the clinical knowledge and practical tools needed to confidently evaluate and manage patients with lymphedema. Participants will learn to identify key signs and symptoms — including axillary web syndrome and cellulitis — and will explore foundational concepts of the lymphatic system to better understand how impaired microcirculation leads to lymphedema.
We will cover how to screen, examine, and monitor patients throughout the episode of care, including girth and volume measurements, safe exercise prescription for patients at risk for or living with stable lymphedema, and when referral to a specialized lymphedema therapist is warranted.
By the end of the course, therapists will leave with practical, evidence-informed tips and tools ready to apply the very next morning with oncology patients in their clinic.
Continuing Education Credits Anticipated: APTA (PT), AOTA (OT)
Pricing
MGB Employees: Free with coupon code and proof of MGB User ID
Click here for coupon code
Non MGB Employees: $25 or save by registering for this course as part of our four-course oncology bundle:
Register for our $100 oncology bundle now!
Learning Outcomes – Following this course, participants will be able to:
- Define lymphedema and explain foundational concepts to patients who are at risk for or are diagnosed with lymphedema
- Analyze patient presentation and clinical findings to screen for lymphedema throughout the episode of care
- Evaluate findings over time to guide management decisions, including when referral for specialized intervention is indicated
Time-Ordered Agenda
- 5-minutes: Introduction
- 10-minutes: Case Study #1 / Axillary Web Syndrome
- 10-minutes: Examination
- 10-minutes: Interventions
- 10-minutes: Case Study / Scar Mobility
- 15-minutes: Treatment and Clinical Practice Recommendations
Laura Little Foley, PT, DPT, CLT, OCS is a graduate of the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She began her career at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she spent five years in the outpatient department. While there, she treated a diverse orthopedic and oncology population, including sarcoma, melanoma, breast and genitourinary cancer patients. While in that role, she participated in research projects and guest lectured to physical therapy students. Laura is also a certified lymphedema therapist through the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and continues to work closely with the oncology population here within the Spaulding network. Laura has been an outpatient therapist at Spaulding Braintree since 2014 and is the founder and coleader of the Spaulding Oncology Special Interest Group. She recently obtained her Orthopedic Clinical Specialty designation from the APTA in 2025.
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists
Instructional Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Cancellation Policy: Spaulding reserves the right to adjust components of this program or to cancel the program for unexpected occurrences. Notice of changes or cancellation will be provided expediently. Upon cancellation of a course, a refund for the price paid for the course will be given. A processing fee of $10 may be charged when the registrant provides written notice of cancellation of their attendance less than 7 business days prior to the program date. Tuition is non-refundable if the registrant does not provide notice of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the program date. Spaulding apologizes but will not be responsible for inconveniences incurred due to program changes.
Speaker Disclosures: Laura Little Foley is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.
The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network is recognized as an approved provider of continuing education by AOTA. This course is offered for an anticipated .1 AOTA CEUs (Introductory level; OT Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge category) pending approval. The assignment of AOTA CEU’s does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA.
The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network is recognized as an approved provider of continuing education by APTA. Information provided should be used within scope of practice. Anticipated 1.0 contact hours/CEHs.
SR Division of Education and Training CEU facilitators Marianne Savastano, MS, CCC-SLP; Katherine MacKirdy, MSPT, GCS, MPH;
Matt Keilty, OTR/L; and Kathleen Crosskill, MS, CCC-SLP
