Swollen legs, stolen lives: how oedema steals mobility and independence
Swollen legs are often dismissed as a minor or inevitable problem. In reality, unmanaged oedema can be the first step toward loss of mobility, independence, and quality of life.
This webinar raises awareness of how lower limb swelling triggers a downward spiral of heaviness, pain, reduced movement, muscle weakness, and fear of activity- often leading to deconditioning and patients becoming 'off-legs.' Everyday coping strategies, such as reduced walking or sleeping in a chair, can unintentionally worsen the problem.
Aimed at all healthcare professionals, this session shifts the focus from treating symptoms to recognising early warning signs and acting sooner. It highlights how simple, timely interventions can protect mobility, prevent avoidable decline, and help people remain independent for longer.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand how oedema drives loss of mobility and independence
- Recognise behaviors and environments that worsen lower limb swelling
- Identify early intervention points to prevent patients becoming “off-legs”
- Apply practical strategies to help break the cycle
- Tools that can help: Ascenda Demonstration
Meet our Experts
Sarah has always had a keen interest in Tissue Viability since becoming a registered nurse in 2002. Her experience varies from within a community setting, where she completed her Tissue Viability based degree in 2007. She then worked within the private sector to gain additional advanced wound care skills whilst working with a medical devices company specialised in wound healing. In 2010, Sarah became a Tissue Viability Nurse and shaped a specialised service within the acute sector for 7 years before returning to the community setting as a TVN.
People who watched this also watched...
The importance of good clinical reasoning
In this two part webinar we will explore:
Part 1: What is clinical reasoning and why is it important – with a focus on the interchangeable terminology and obtaining a deeper understanding of the need for clinical reasoning.
Part 2: How do you clinically justify and how can we get better at it – the speakers will share their thoughts, tips and tricks on best practice.
Rebuilding lives after stroke
A stroke can happen to anyone. This is an awareness raising webinar looking at what a stroke is and how to recognise when someone might be having a stroke. Having a greater insight into how this brain injury can impact on individuals, can help to inform any professional or personal interactions you may have with people affected by stroke. This webinar also covers what we can all do to reduce our risk of stroke, the work of the Stroke Association and ways we could potentially make a difference together.
Pressure ulcers - To sit or not to sit
In this session we will explore the critical clinical reasoning process around whether you can sit out of bed with a pressure area. To celebrate OT week and Stop the pressure week, we wish to recognise the importance of collaborative working.
This session will explore the risks of sitting and the risks of staying in bed. We wish to help clients make informed seating decisions to promote comfort, healing, function and overall well being.