Lipoedema Disease and Treatment Methods

Causes of lipoedema

Lipoedema is a painful, swollen and bruising-prone disease that occurs due to the accumulation of fat and fluid in certain parts of the body. Lipoedema is usually seen in women and is associated with hormonal changes. Lipoedema causes fat deposits on the buttocks, thighs, inner knees, lower legs and sometimes arms. Feet and hands are not affected. Excessive fat accumulation is a disease resistant to diet and exercise and if left untreated, it progresses and impairs quality of life.

The cause of lipoedema is not known exactly. Factors such as genetic predisposition, hormonal factors, lymphatic system disorders, inflammation, blood vessel weakness are thought to play a role. The diagnosis of adipose tissue swelling disease can be made by methods such as physical examination, history taking, ultrasonography, lymphoscintigraphy.

There is no cure for excessive fat accumulation disease, but various treatment methods can be applied to slow the progression of the disease, alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. The aim of lipoedema treatment is to reduce fat tissue, increase lymphatic drainage, improve blood circulation, relieve pain, reduce the risk of infection and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Lipoedema symptoms

The methods used in the treatment of lipoedema are as follows:

• Conservative treatments: These treatments include medication, diet and nutritional counselling, exercise programmes, manual lymphatic drainage massage
• Surgical treatments: These treatments aim to surgically remove lipoedematous fatty tissue. There are two main surgical methods: liposuction and lipectomy (dermolipectomy). Liposuction is a method of vacuuming fat tissue with thin cannulas. Lipectomy is the method of removing excess skin and fat tissue by cutting.
  • Liposuction is the most commonly used surgical method in the treatment of excessive fat accumulation. Liposuction is an effective method to reduce the patient’s fat tissue, relieve pain, increase mobility and improve aesthetic appearance. Liposuction can be performed under general or local anaesthesia. During liposuction, special techniques are used to minimise the patient’s blood loss and lymphatic damage. After liposuction, the patient should wear compression garments and perform lymphatic drainage massage.
  • Lipectomy can be performed in patients with severe sagging and deformity in the lipoedematous area. Lipectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. During lipectomy, the patient’s excess skin and adipose tissue are cut out and the wounds are sutured. After lipectomy, the patient should pay attention to wound care and reduce the risk of infection.

Excessive fat accumulation disease is a common but little recognised disease in women. Lipoedema disease occurs due to the accumulation of fat and fluid in certain parts of the body. If left untreated, lipoedema disease progresses and impairs quality of life. There is no cure for lipoedema, but conservative or surgical treatment methods can be applied to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.