Manual lymphatic drainage helps to activate the lymphatic vessels and to ensure faster drainage of the lymphatic fluid. This reduces swelling in the legs. Also, the use of compression wear helps by reducing the development of swelling and the painful sensation. Exercise and skin care are also important parts of physical therapy. Physical activity This is often a cosmetic treatment. However, it may reduce a person’s chances of more fluid building up in their limbs. Liposuction But this has been life-changing for me. It is truly priceless to have freedom from this dire condition. There is a need to define the objective of the treatment for lipedema in cooperation with the patient. These objectives can vary widely: improvement of signs and symptoms, weight loss, fat, reduction of limb volume, and improvement of mobility and aesthetics. Often, the patient’s aesthetic desire unduly overrides the objective need to improve mobility and symptoms, and to prevent progression. Using objective clinical tools for analysis and monitoring of lipedema, such as the QuASiL [ 22], symptom monitoring questionnaires that are validated and culturally adapted, and volumetric measurements of limbs and bioimpedance, it is possible to quantify clinical progression. BMI does not differentiate obesity from lipedema. Nevertheless, we have no tool do measure the aesthetic aspects of the disease. a procedure to get rid of the fat ( liposuction) if your symptoms are particularly severe – you may need more than 1 operation and it may not be available on the NHS

Most doctors think obesity, heart failure, kidney failure, liver disease, thyroid problems or medications cause the leg swelling,” Dr. Bartholomew says. “Or they think it’s lymphedema, which is swelling that usually occurs in one arm or leg.” Tendency to easily bruise: May occur anywhere in areas affected by lipedema without any apparent cause. Weight management is important to slow disease progression. More fat = more opportunity for symptoms to develop or worsen.Maintaining a healthy weight – once again, maintaining a stable and healthy weight will aid in keeping Lipedema progression at bay. Compression garments: These tight garments can provide relief (if they’re not too tight or painful to wear). Lipedema is an inherited, chronic, progressive disease characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fat in subcutaneous tissue, mainly in the lower and upper limbs [ 1]. It is a potentially aggressive disease because it limits mobility and damages the lymphatic vascular system [ 2], leading to deformities and loss of quality of life. Its prevalence in females is believed to be 11–39% [ 3– 6]. The intensity of presentation is greatest in the inflammatory phase, manifesting as pain [ 7], sensitivity to touch, edema [ 8], chronic fatigue, and unprovoked ecchymosis [ 5, 9]. Manual lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that aims to stimulate the movement of lymph fluid around the body.

When first discovering Lipedema and getting a diagnosis, it can feel bitter sweet. I know it did for me. On the one hand, there’s finally a reason why your body looks and feels the way it does. An explanation that proves it’s not your fault, a reason why. Lipedema isn’t rare, but it’s rarely diagnosed, Dr. Bartholomew points out: “Doctors don’t know about lipedema — it’s that simple.” Shavit E, Wolina U, Alavi A. Lipoedema is not lymphoedema: A review of current literature. International Wound Journal, 2018; 15(6):921–28. doi:10.1111/iwj.12949 Schneider, R. (2018). Low-frequency vibrotherapy considerably improves the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in patients with lipedema: A two-armed, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial [Abstract]. It is important that note that weight loss does not cure the discomfort associated with lipedema and is therefore an inappropriate stand-alone therapy.

Halk AB, Damstra RJ. First Dutch guidelines on lipedema using the international classification of functioning, disability and health. Phlebology, 2016; (0):1–8 doi:10.1177/02683555166394219 Exercise . Helps to reduce fluid buildup, boost mobility, and maintain or improve how well your legs work. The treatment for lipedema first requires an accurate diagnosis. Many healthcare providers are not familiar with lipedema. If you suspect you have lipedema but have not been diagnosed, you may want to consider seeing a vascular specialist. Vascular providers are typically well-informed about the most common causes of leg pain and they can help rule-out other causes or contributors to your symptoms. Typical treatment for lipedema includes: A person’s skin appears normal and is smooth to touch. The person will have nodules of enlarged fat present underneath the skin.

phleboedema and chronic venous insufficiency – characterised by the absence of fat and the presence of fluid. The skin can be scaly and itchy with a brownish discolouration. Fetzer A, Fetzer S. Lipoedema UK Big Survey 2014 Research Report. Lipoedema UK. lipoedema.co.uk, published July 2016 The most popular lipedema treatment is called complete decongestive therapy. Complete decongestive therapy is multi-faceted, and includes the following: Lipedema occurs almost exclusively in females, with rare reports of development in men. Although believed to be prevalent, the exact incidence is not known. What Causes Lipedema?A treatment called complete decongestive therapy can ease painful symptoms. Complete decongestive therapy involves: UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines. UK Government Chief Medical Officers. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, published September 2019 Lipoedema is a chronic and progressive condition, and it can develop into lymphoedema over time. The reason for this is that the build-up of fat affects the ability of your lymphatic system to drain fluids, cell waste products and inflammatory molecules from your tissues. Your doctor will want to be sure you understand what the surgery can and can’t achieve and may ask you to have some counselling before your operation. It’s important that you have realistic expectations of what the treatment can do for you. In stage 2, there may be indentations in the skin, and lipomas (fatty lumps) may develop. You may experience eczema or skin infections known as erysipelas. Swelling may still appear during the day, but likely doesn’t go away completely, even with rest and elevation of the legs. At this stage, your body may still respond well to treatment.

These protrusions of fat can put pressure on a person’s joints and may affect their mobility and balance. Being overweight (in addition to lipedema) can contribute further to the pain caused by lipedema. This is why it is especially important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many lipedema patients report that swimming offers an excellent way to exercise because it is very low-impact and does not exacerbate the pain. [10] X Research source Regular, low-impact exercise can help to manually force inflammatory products in the tissues out of the legs. looking after your skin – for example, by regularly using moisturising cream ( emollients) to stop your skin drying outAs you consider treatments to try, keep in mind which are “conservative” meaning not surgical, and which are surgical. In the US, it is easier to get insurance to approve surgery if you demonstrate that you first tried the conservative treatments. Moreover, some surgeons will not operate unless you first establish good routines with conservative treatments. Surgery does not correct the underlying issues, and you will still need good conservative habits after surgery. Conservative Treatments Fat accumulates in the hips and legs - A predisposition to accumulate fat in the hips and legs, rather than evenly throughout the body. Lipedema. NIH Genetic and Rare Disease Information Centre. rarediseases.info.nih.gov, last updated February 2019 On past surgical history, she reported having undergone ‘hydrolipo’ 3 years prior and varicose vein surgery 5 years prior. Dadras M, Mallinger PJ, Corterier CC, et al. Liposuction in the treatment of lipedema: a longitudinal study. Archives of Plastic Surgery 2017; 44(4):324–31