Lipoedema – hereditary disorder of fatty tissue distribution
Lipoedema is not a fat reservoir resulting from obesity. It is the result of an increased number of fat cells with pathological changes. Since lipoedema occurs almost exclusively in women, experts assume hormonal causes. The few men who develop lipoedema often have liver damage.
Signs and symptoms
In lipoedema, a fold of skin can pulled up over the second and third toes or a finger (Stemmer's sign is negative). In lymphoedema, this is not possible (Stemmer's sign is positive). Other signs of lipoedema are a tendency to develop spider veins, bruises or increased swelling of the calf in the second half of the day.
In contrast to lymphoedema, lipoedema is always symmetrical. It presents as “pillar-like” changes and deformation of the legs. The “saddlebags” around the hips and bottom are typical.
If the disorder spreads further down the legs, we talk of the “drawstring trouser phenomenon” because the deformities always end at the ankles, which are, however, overlapped by the fatty tissue.
Lipoedema is painful to pressure and touch. In the advanced stages, even wearing tight clothing is painful. In contrast to lymphoedema, “Stemmer's sign” is always negative in lipoedema.
Jodhpurs
Jodhpurs are fatty pads over the bottom, hips and the insides of the knees that occur almost exclusively in women.
Diet-resistant accumulations of fat
Particularly women with a slender torso are often affected. If the fatty pads are immune to every diet and sporting activity, jodhpurs can be a sign of lipoedema, a congenital disorder of fatty tissue distribution.
Another sign of lipoedema is susceptibility to spider veins and bruising and pain on touch and pressure. In contrast to lymphoedema, both legs – and sometimes the arms as well – are affected.
An overview of the clinical signs of lipoedema:
- Negative Stemmer's sign
- Symmetrical swelling
- Pain on touch and pressure
- Bursting pain
- Often "spider" veins over the outside of the thigh
- Susceptibility to bruising
- Familial history
- Skin is soft, nodular and exhibits typical pitting
- In a few cases, the arms are also affected.
Risk factors and causes
Almost only women and girls are affected by lipoedema. Therefore experts suspect hormonal causes. As a rule, lipoedema begins towards the end of puberty, during a pregnancy or during the menopause. Furthermore, susceptibility to lipoedema appears to be genetic.
Prevention
Sport and a healthy diet help during the early stages of lipoedema. Patients should play sports about three times a week for at least 45 minutes at each session (the body only starts burning fat after 30 minutes). It is essential to wear compression garments during sporting activities. This prevents swelling, because the improved circulation presses more water into the tissues.
There are wide-ranging treatment methods for existing lipoedema.
Tips for everyday living with lipoedema
Lipoedema is a chronic disease. In addition to medical therapy, whatever you do will determine how well you can cope with living with oedema.
Sports
Sports are advisable, but only if you wear your compression garments or bandages. Otherwise, the circumference of your legs would increase further still without compression. The following sports are particularly recommended:
- Power walking
- Walking
- Hiking
- Aerobics
- Also recommended are aqua-jogging and swimming, which you can do without compression, because the water pressure acts like compression
Comfortable clothing
Make sure you wear loose clothes and flat, comfortable shoes. Do not wear any tight belts or bras.
A balanced diet
The fat pads seen in lipoedema are not caused by overweight. This is why they cannot be counteracted by dieting. Nevertheless, losing weight and taking part in sporting activities (with compression) has positive effects. You should avoid putting on weight at all costs. If you are overweight, you should definitely try to reduce your body weight to a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 19 and 25 and to maintain it.
Drugs
Unfortunately lipoedema does not respond to pills or ointments.
Skin care
Hygiene is especially important for patients with oedema. Always clean and care for your skin with pH-neutral care products. Do not use deodorants over oedematous areas.
How is lipoedema treated?
Treating lipoedema with compression garments
Lipoedema occurs almost exclusively in women. While diets or sports do not bring success, compression therapy achieves good results. It ensures that the oedema does not develop further. So you can be certain that you can do something about your oedema.
Compression garments reduce lipoedema or at least keep it constant. In stage 1, seamless, round knit compression stockings in CCL 2 or CCL 3 can often be used. But experts recommend flat knit compression care in most cases. The stockings should preferably be worn every day, but at least three days a week (during sporting activities as well). Your doctor or specialist staff at your surgical appliance retailer will be pleased to advise you. Patients in stage 2 use flat knit compression garments (seamed). In stage 3, complex physical decongestion therapy is applied similarly to lymphoedema. This starts in phase 1 with manual lymphatic drainage followed by application of a compression dressing. This is, in turn, followed by the maintenance phase and thus by the wearing of compression garments. Here again flat knit models are used. They offer optimum pressure stability because the material is less elastic.
Another form of treatment: liposuction
Another form of treatment is liposuction. Pitting may form in the skin after this procedure. However, this is largely prevented by special compression garments. You should ask your doctor whether liposuction is advisable for you before going ahead.
Summary: if your legs, hips or bottom are growing, don't just think about dieting. Ask your GP (or a phlebologist) whether you may have lipoedema. If you do, follow his treatment recommendations and play sports – but please always with compression. Make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet. This will keep you fit and on your feet – even with lipoedema.
Lipoedema – Liposuction and after-treatment
Products from medi
Compression garments from medi can help you treat lipoedema. medi offers two different types of compression garments for this:
- Round knit compression garments (stage 1)
- Flat knit compression garments (stage 1 and above)
Products for treating lipoedema