Objective This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of manual lymph drainage (MLD) and complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in managing lower limb lymphedema (LLL) following cervical cancer surgery and its impact on patient quality of life. Methods Patients with postoperative LLL following cervical cancer surgery were included. A total of 57 patients in the control group received pneumatic compression therapy, while 57 patients in the CDT group received additional CDT.