Skip to content
medi-usa-logo

medi USA

Compression | Orthopedics | Wound Care

  • Patients and Caregivers
  • Healthcare Professional
  • Dealer Solutions
  • Services
B2B Portal
medi-usa-logo
medi USA
Compression | Orthopedics | Wound Care

Lipedema

Home / Patients and Caregivers / Edema Conditions / Lipedema
  • What is lipedema?
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Clinical signs of lipedema:
  • Risk factors and causes
  • Prevention
  • Tips for everyday living with lipedema
  • Manual Lymph Drainage
  • How is lipedema treated?
  • See our solutions:
  • Flat-knit Compression
What is lipedema

What is lipedema?

Lipedema is a hereditary disorder of fatty tissue distribution. It is the result of an increased number of fat cells that are distributed in an irregular way beneath the skin. Since lipedema occurs almost exclusively in women, affecting up to 11%, experts assume it is due to hormonal causes. The few men who develop lipedema often have liver damage.

Signs and symptoms

One of the signs of lipedema is to do a Stemmer’s test. If you can pinch a skin fold at the base of the toe or a finger, then this is a negative Stemmer’s sign. In lipedema, the “Stemmer’s sign” will always be negative. In lymphedema, this is not possible (Stemmer’s sign is positive). Other signs of lipedema are a tendency to develop spider veins, bruises or increased swelling of the calf in the second half of the day.

In contrast to lymphedema, lipedema is always symmetrical.  Lipedema is painful to pressure and touch. In the advanced stages, even wearing tight clothing is painful. 

Clinical signs of lipedema:

  • Negative Stemmer’s sign
  • Symmetrical swelling
  • Pain from 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 

The blood from abdominal organs initially passes through the portal vein into the liver, where it is filtered before being transported further to the heart. There are several systems in the leg veins. The major part of the return transport in the legs is undertaken by the deep veins of the leg that run through muscles. 

Clinical signs of lipedema
risk factors and causes of lipedema

Risk factors and causes

Almost only women and girls are affected by lipedema. Therefore, experts suspect hormonal causes. Lipedema begins or worsens at puberty, during pregnancy, following gynecologic surgery, or during the time of menopause. Furthermore, susceptibility to lipedema appears to be genetic.

Prevention

Exercise and a healthy diet help during the early stages of lipedema. Patients should exercise about three times a week for at least 45 minutes at each session. It is essential to wear compression garments during fitness; this prevents swelling, as the improved circulation presses more water into the tissues.

There are wide-ranging treatment methods for existing lipedema ranging from manual lymph drainage, the use of compression, exercise, and liposuction.

Tips for everyday living with lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic disease. Even with medical therapy, your daily routine will determine how well you can cope with living with edema. Dieting and exercise will not reduce the fat involved in lipedema, but it’s still vital to do those things because they will help you lose weight from non-lipedema fat, and it reduces inflammation.

Manual Lymph Drainage

This form of massage uses gentle, rhythmic pumping movements to stimulate the flow of lymph around blocked areas to healthy vessels, where it can drain into the venous system.

How is lipedema treated?

While diet and exercise are helpful, compression therapy achieves beneficial results. It ensures that the edema does not develop further.

Compression garments reduce lipedema or at least sustain it where it is. In stage 1, seamless, round-knit compression stockings in 15-20, 20-30, or 30-40 mmHg 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 exercise as well). Your doctor or clinician will advise you on what’s best for you. Patients in stage 2 use flat–knit compression garments (which are seamed garments). In stage 3, complex physical decongestion therapy is applied similarly to lymphedema. This starts in phase 1 with manual lymphatic drainage followed by the application of compression bandaging. This is followed by the maintenance phase and the wearing of compression garments, specifically flat-knit garments. They offer optimum pressure stability because the material is less elastic.

See our solutions:

Flat-knit Compression

Company

  • Our story
  • I feel better
  • medi moments
  • medi USA Brands
  • medi USA News
  • medi for help

Services

  • Product Registration
  • Dealer Locator
  • B2B Portal
  • Careers Center
  • medi USA’s Patent Portfolio
  • Warranty

MEDI USA LINKS

  • Transparency in Coverage

Contact medi USA

6481 Franz Warner Pkwy
Whitsett NC 27377, USA

+1 800-633-6334
info@mediusa.com

© 2023 medi USA. I feel better

Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions | Website Accessibility

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies by this website. Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept CookiesAccept All Cookies
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analyticsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functionalThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessaryThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-othersThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performanceThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policyThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
  • Patients and Caregivers
  • Healthcare Professional
  • Dealer Solutions
  • Services
B2B Portal