Any patient who has undergone surgery or radiotherapy to the breast and axillary or pelvic and genital and pelvic areas should be able to notice the early signs of lymphedema.
Early signs of lymphedema include::

• Sensation of inelasticity of the skin on the limb.
• Feeling of weight in the member.
• Change in the mobility of the joints, mainly of the hand, wrist and ankle.
• Jewelry (rings, bracelets) are tighter than before without increasing body weight.
• One member appears larger than the other.

Clinical signs of lymphedema include:

• Local, soft swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
• Subcutaneous tissue changes (fibrosis).
• Changes in the skin such as (thickening of the skin).
• In severe cases the skin loses its continuity and we have a flow of lymphatic fluid from the wound which increases the risk of infections.
• The swelling is usually painless in the early stages of the condition but some patients report pain, heaviness and itching.
• Positive point Stemmer. The skin between the 2nd and 3rd finger or toe cannot be lifted.
• Decreased joint range of motion as body weight and joint size increases.
• Skin cannot easily change shape and return to normal, changes in skin elasticity.