Lipoedema - What is it?

First described in the 1940s, it is a chronic and progressive disease that effects predominantly women and is the abnormal build-up of adipose (fatty) tissue around the hips, buttocks, legs and sometimes arms, leading to enlargement, swelling and pain.

It is a hereditary disorder effecting 11% of Australian women and is highly variable and unpredictable.

It is not the same as obesity or being overweight.

Signs and Symptoms of Lipoedema

• The legs are enlarged bilaterally - arms too can be affected

• The waist is small in proportion to thighs, buttocks and legs

• Feet and hands are exempt and a 'bracelet' effect can, in most cases, appear just above the ankles and wrists

• Legs/arms can be extremely painful, even to touch

• Affected limbs bruise easily

• The fat is soft to touch and wobbly, while skin can be cold to touch

• Lipoedema can become worse in hot weather

• Diet and exercise, while important, can have minimal effect

• Increase in Lipoedema is often noticed when significant hormonal changes happen

• Skin can have a cellulite or ‘mattress’ like appearance

• Skin on the legs and buttocks can be cold to touch.

• Associated with chronic venous and lymphatic insufficiency and early degenerative articular disease.

The onset of lipoedema usually begins at puberty and can develop further with hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause. For majority of women that develop symptoms during puberty most aren’t diagnosed until in their 30s-40s, when symptoms have become more severe.

A diagnosis will be made on clinical grounds through clinical assessment and discussing medical history with your doctor. However, many medical professionals are unaware of Lipoedema, and can get confused with Lymphoedema or simply diagnosing as obesity, but this is changing through organizations such as Lipoedema Australia.

There are many conservative treatment approaches that we can do to help, part of which can include Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, a program that combines multiple treatment approaches to reduce the swelling and oedema-related symptoms of lipoedema. It involves regular sessions of MLD or intermittent pneumatic compression with a pump, compression garments, exercise, skin care and modified factors of daily living. Unfortunately, at this stage there is no cure for lipoedema, however with more awareness and proper management it can be well maintained.

More information can be found on the Lipoedema Australia website www.lipoedemaaustralia.com.au or speaking to a medical professional, qualified oedema therapist, myotherapist or physiotherapist.