This case study is an example of one patient’s journey spanning many decades where denials of proper compression garments resulted in a cascade of failed surgeries, nonhealing post-surgical wounds, recurrent cellulitis infections and extended hospitalisations. As her primary lymphoedema progressed to Stage 3 elephantiasis with massive localised lobules, depression and hopelessness set in. Once she was fitted with a custom, compression garment, all aspects of her chronic condition began to improve, including limb volume reduction, prevention of post-surgical wounds, improved functional mobility and improved quality of life. This case study exemplifies the abject waste of healthcare dollars and unnecessary harm caused when compression garments are denied coverage by medical insurance programmes.
