A group of five ladies all sitting on a cream sofa, looking at each other laughing and smiling. The ladies are all wearing blue jeans and a white top, and are sitting against a pale dove grey wall

What is

Lipoedema?

While there is technically no “correct” or “incorrect” way to pronounce lipoedema, most medical and allied health professionals choose to pronounce lipoedema with a long ‘i' sound, similar to the way liposuction is pronounced.

This helps to keep a more obvious differentiation between lipoedema and similar sounding lipidemia or lymphoedema – one of the most common issues when speaking to others about lipoedema is the confusion between these conditions.

Lipoedema in a Nutshell

Lipoedema is the painful build-up of diseased fat in the legs and arms (but can grow anywhere in the body).

Lipoedema:

Mostly affects women
Tends to worsen during hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause
Cannot be dieted or exercised away
Can interfere with walking and other daily activities
Is treated using measures such as compression and anti-inflammatory way of eating
Can be reduced through liposuction surgery

Lipoedema - An Introduction

Three ladies with lipoedema, dressed in black and grey active wear, looking at the camera and smiling

Lipoedema was first described in 1940 as a chronic and incurable condition involving an abnormal build-up of adipose tissue (Allen & Hines, 1940). It typically affects the thighs, buttocks and lower legs, and sometimes the arms, and may, although not always cause considerable tissue enlargement, swelling and pain. It may significantly impair mobility, the ability to perform activities of daily living, and psychosocial wellbeing. Current conservative management involves encouraging self-care, managing symptoms, improving functioning and mobility, providing psychosocial support and preventing deterioration in physical and mental health and wellbeing.

There is evidence of a genetic predisposition to lipoedema, as well as hormonal fluctuations. Disease onset is usually puberty, but is often not identified and can be often associated with chronic venous and lymphatic insufficiency, early degenerative articular disease and obesity. As lipoedema is not often diagnosed until later stages co-morbidities and psychological issues are also prevalent and are often what is diagnosed whereby lipoedema is the primary disorder.

The course of lipoedema over time is not fully understood, but is highly variable and unpredictable. The condition may progress relentlessly in some patients, and yet in others the only symptom is a relatively minor increase in subcutaneous fat that remains stable for many years (Langendoen et al, 2009; Dutch Guidelines, 2014).

Lipoedema Symptoms

Lipoedema may be found in women of all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities. Lipoedema presents with a number of symptoms - the below is not an exhaustive list, and not all patients will display all symptoms.

Disproportionate bilateral fat growth in the legs, buttocks, thighs, and/or arms
Appearance of lumpy, nodular fat in other areas of body, including abdomen, groin, breasts and scalp
Waist may appear smaller in proportion to lipoedema affected areas of the body
Distinct ‘bracelet’ or ‘cuffing’ effect at the wrist and ankle may be present, as feet and hands usually not affected
Easily bruised with minimal trauma
Sensation of heaviness, achiness or discomfort in affected areas
Affected areas are sensitive to touch and often feel cold
Soft, wobbly fat that can have a cellulite or ‘mattress’ like appearance
Increased discomfort in hot weather
Diet and exercise has minimal impact on affected areas
Reduced hair growth on affected areas