Carmela Claypool, a physical therapist and lymphedema specialist at United Hospital and at the Sister Kenny outpatient lymphedema clinic in St. Paul, talks about her work.
Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: I work with patients after breast cancer or orthopedic surgeries, other cancer patients and patients with edema related to venous problems. I employ complete decongestive therapy: manual lymph drainage; medical compression bandages; therapeutic exercises; and patient and family education. I stay up-to-date with the new evidence-based treatment options and new compression garments to prevent recurrence once the edema is under control.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger health care picture?
A: My work helps the patients to recover faster and allows them to be able to return to a productive life, which also saves money in health care.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: I interact with patients and their families, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians, nurses, surgeons, physiatrists, hospitalists, a neuro-psychologist, oncologists, a recreational therapist, wound/ostomy nurses and administrative personnel.
Q: Why did you become a lymphedema specialist?
