ICD-Code I89.02: Lymphoedema of upper and lower extremity(ies), stage III

Lymph fluid has accumulated in your tissue.

Fluid forms in tissue throughout the body every day. This tissue fluid is the lymph. The lymph is carried around the body by lymph vessels. The lymph vessels run around the entire body and are connected to blood vessels. At some points, there are lymph nodes along the lymph vessels. Pathogens are rendered harmless in the lymph nodes, for example.

Lymphatic fluid has accumulated in your arms or legs.

There are various reasons why lymphatic fluid accumulates. Possible causes are, for example, if the lymph vessels change after birth, or if pathogens have damaged the lymph vessels. Lymphatic fluid may also back up following an infection, injury, surgery or treatment with radiation. Lymphatic fluid may then accumulate in the tissue. This can cause the arms, hands, legs or feet, for example, to swell up. The skin may be stretched as a result. The skin may also go harder in the affected places. The affected body parts can become much thicker.