This  document provides evidence-based recommendations for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic oedema, including secondary chronic oedema (lymphoedema). It highlights the importance of early intervention, multidisciplinary collaboration, and equitable access to care across Europe.

The document covers:

• Pathophysiology of chronic oedema of the lower limb
• Lower leg swelling: Diagnosis and management
• Conservative treatment in the management of chronic oedema
• Skin and wound care considerations
• Compression therapy: The gold standard for the management of chronic oedema of the lower limb
• Clinical pathways for lower limb oedema management
• How to live better with lower limb lymphoedema – a patient’s perspective
• Epidemiology and health economy perspectives on chronic oedema

This document is developed as an initiative of EWMA and the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF). It builds on the EWMA Document Lower leg ulcer diagnosis and principles of treatment from 2023.

The document is published as a supplement to the Journal of Wound Management, vol. 26, 3.