Lymphoedema Service
Lipoedema
Lipoedema is a chronic condition that predominantly affects women. It is caused by an abnormal symmetrical accumulation of adipose (fatty) tissue.
What is Lipoedema?
Lipoedema is a chronic condition that predominantly affects women. It is caused by an abnormal symmetrical accumulation of adipose (fatty) tissue. It may also cause pain, swelling, bruising and affect mobility due to the impact on joints, typically the knees.
- Women that suffer with this condition describe their lower body as being out of proportion with their torso, due to fatty tissue developing below the waist and often the arms.
- Women report difficulty losing weight, noticing that dieting only appears to be effective to the truncal area. They are often mistakenly misdiagnosed as being obese.
- It can have a negative impact on women’s mental health, due to poor public perception, lack of understanding and awareness by health professionals.
- Lipoedema is often mistaken for Lymphoedema.
There is still limited evidence about the cause of Lipoedema, but it is thought to be an inherited condition and often starts following a hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
Symptoms
In addition to the abnormal fat accumulation, symptoms may include:
- painful joints
- tenderness or sensitivity to the tissue
- bruising that occurs easily
- heaviness and aching on walking
- bracelet effect around the ankles or wrists
- limited response to weight loss
- difficulty standing or walking for prolonged periods
- squatting and kneeling can be problematic
- hypermobility
- lymphoedema can also occur as a secondary condition
Diagnosis
Presently there isn’t a test that can diagnose and Lipoedema. Diagnosis relies on a detailed history, physical examination, and specialist knowledge of the condition.
Treatment
Currently there is no cure for Lipoedema.
Lymphoedema specialists can offer education and advice and recommend the following management options:
- Compression hosiery can help to support the affected tissues and joints, relieve pain, and prevent or manage any Lymphoedema that is present. It cannot reduce the size of the limbs.
- Exercise: light to moderate activity, swimming, cycling and low impact exercise.
- Pain control: patients who suffer with Lipoedema can also experience hypersensitivity to the tissue along with painful/aching joints. Your doctor can help you manage this and may suggest a referral to a pain management clinic.
- Skin care: Lipoedema increases the risk of fungal infection, particularly in the skin folds. At a later stage there is also a greater risk of developing cellulitis. Signs of cellulitis include redness, heat, swelling, fever and generally feeling unwell. It is important to take great care of your skin ensuring that it is kept clean. You can reduce the risk of infection by:
- moisturising daily;
- protect the skin from cuts, grazes, and insect bites; and
- protect the skin from the sun and wear a high factor sun lotion.
- MLD: some women find manual lymphatic drainage helps with the symptoms; however, this would have to be sought privately by a registered therapist.
- Psychological support: support groups, counselling.
Liposuction is emerging as a treatment option (involving the removal of the affected tissue through a specific form of liposuction). However, there are no robust studies to date that can confirm long-term outcomes. This treatment is not currently offered in the UK, either by the NHS or privately.
Resources
Support Networks
Prescription management
Active patients:
- Daylong Direct
Discharged Patients: