How does lymphedema usually begin?

Swelling: Typically after an injury (and surgery can be considered an injury) the lymphatics can become damaged and the limb can swell.

Blockage: Lymphedema is due usually to obstruction of the lymph channels that drain this fluid from the extremities...Obstruction has different causes...In america, the main cause is surgical procedure in the groin or armpit...In asian countries it is caused more often by parasites (filaria...There is no effective cure once lymphedema occurs..Tratment is massage and compression garments.

Lymphedema: Lymphedema, or swelling caused by an unusual amount of lymphatic fluid in a part of the body, results from either too much production of lymph or too slow drainage of it by the body or both. Although the most common cause of lyphemdema in the us is surgery and/or radiation, it can can be congenital or have no identifiable cause. In the latter case, it is usually in the left leg of women over 35.