Stage 2 – Moderate Stage
The second stage of lymphedema is manifested by a firm, pale swelling, which already limits the patient’s mobility in the affected area. [5] At this stage, the skin at the swelling site is thickened, since the tissues in the affected area are denser and no longer squeezed when pressed. The swelling lasts all day, and the shape of the leg may start to change.
Stage 3 – Elephantiasis
This is the most severe stage of lymphedema [6] and is called elephantiasis [7] (a limb affected by lymphedema is also called an elephant’s foot). The skin is stiff at this stage (due to subcutaneous fibrosis), the mobility of the joints in the affected area is completely limited. The edema greatly increases in size, since a large amount of protein accumulates in the tissues. And the limbs may also become deformed.
The disease develops at different rates. This often depends on external factors, which also affect the likelihood of edema formation.