Lipolymphedema

Heavy, swollen legs that are often associated with pain when touched and limited mobility, can have many different causes. In most cases, they’re caused by one of two primary issues: a lymph drainage disorder or a fat distribution disorder. Over the years, however, the latter also affects the lymphatic system and a combined disease develops: lipolymphedema. The legs take on conspicuous dimensions and become plump and immobile due to the extensive fatty tissue and immense water retention.

Generic term "water retention": lymphedema and lipedema

Many adults are familiar with the problem of heavy and swollen legs, especially in summer when it’s hot, or after long periods of standing. If the swelling increases or the legs look permanently misshapen for prolonged periods of time, there’s a few main causes:  :

• Circulatory disorders of the leg veins affecting the veins
• Water retention due to a lymph drainage disorder
• illness causing an increase in adipose tissue

If there is a drainage disorder, usually it’s lymphedema.This can be either genetic or acquired (trauma, surgery, removal of nodes), and causes intense and painful swelling of the legs or arms.

The situation is different with lipedema : it occurs almost only in women and usually develops in adolescent girls. The fat deposits on the thighs, hips, buttocks and lower legs begin to grow very slowly and over the years.

It all starts with a fat distribution disorder

For young women, the resulting fat pads are often just uncomfortable, not painful: The peculiar fat distribution that causes the proportions of the body to become increasingly unbalanced compared to the upper body and legs. Especially in the early stages, many patients are not even aware that this type of fat pad development, which progresses completely independently of all diets or sports activities, has a pathological cause. Experts  estimate that the number of unreported women affected is significantly higher than the estimated four million known patients. Special hormonal phases such as puberty or pregnancy usually speed up development significantly. Anyone who notices an intense increase in large-volume fatty tissue on the thighs and hips, which does not decrease even with weight loss, should seek medical advice.

Progressive disease - more severe symptoms

If left untreated, lipedema will continue to develop and progress through numerous stages, with the leg circumference steadily increasing and ultimately water retention also occurring. Because the lymph system can still work completely normally in the first few years, the increasing pressure in the leg has a disruptive effect on the lymph vessels. This affects the lymph flow more and more, making it harder for your body to process general waste. That is why many patients who suffer from untreated lipedema sooner or later also develop a lymphatic drainage disorder, most often lymphedema. In this case, it develops into lipolymphedema, also known as stage 4 lipodema.

Important:
Lymph congestion in the legs can have serious consequences because it promotes the formation of infections and severe circulatory disorders, and you should consult a specialist immediately if suspected.

The Stemmer sign - lipedema with impaired lymphatic drainage?

The transition from lipedema to lipolymphedema cannot be determined from the leg circumference or the water retention clearly. This leads to the use of the :Stemmer sign”, a diagnostic method: It manifests as lifts or folds the skin on the top of the second toe. Because the feet are not affected in pure lipedema, this “pinching” is still possible until lymphedema develops. Only when the lymph can no longer drain properly is the skin on the toes so under tension that it can no longer be lifted off. The Stemmer sign is therefore an important element of diagnostics: It shows which therapy options are particularly suitable and which are not.

What to do if there is heavy water retention 

Manual decongestion therapy is used for lipolymphedema . It includes the following treatments:

• Daily compression therapy with a compression garment.
• Physiotherapy and daily exercises at home once or twice a week.
• Regular skin care, including moisturising and soft massage.
• Manual lymphatic drainage once or twice a week, usually performed by a specialist.

Many doctors prescribe manual lymphatic drainage even before a confirmed Stemmer sign, although its benefit in these cases isn’t as high. This is why there are many prescriptions for manual therapy with the note “lipolymphoedema”, although the doctor only mentioned lipoedema. 

Even in these cases, it’s still best to do as sooner or later most patients develop a lymph drainage disorder. The sooner action is taken, the easier it is to manage and control the progression of the disease. In addition, the gentle massage is very pleasant and also relieves the pain caused by lipedema. It is always important to have a compressive garment after the lymphatic drainage in order to maintain and support the effect, for example with compressive bandages or suitable compression stockings.

Compression therapy with VenoTrain curaflow for lipolymphedema 

Lipolymphedema, which is associated with extensive water retention and increasing fat tissue, cannot be cured.  However, therapeutic measures provide relief and help in managing the progression of the condition- for example, wearing high-quality compression products such as  VenoTrain curaflow .

No matter how mild or severe the condition, the compression garments are ideal, as they come in a range of compression classes for each person. The pressure applied by the breathable flat-knit fabric and by movement is important for this. It shapes the affected body regions, increasing the effectiveness of the lymphatic system, and in this way reduces excessive swelling. This relieves the affected areas in both swelling and pain, and improves mobility  - as well as body-image and quality of life.

VenoTrain curaflow compression products are always custom made for each and every person and built with the compression pressure specified by the doctor. 

High-quality microfiber is used to make everyday wear as comfortable as possible. This ensures a comfortable, soft and ultra-breathable surface on the skin. The special design - such as extra soft weave on the back of the knees, the standard soft tip on the foot or specially designed comfort zones - improves the comfort properties and thus makes it easier to wear.