Lipoedema

Lipoedema is popularly known as cellulite or orange-peel skin because of its macroscopic appearance. However, it is a painful hereditary disorder where altered fatty tissue accumulates typically from the hips to the ankles and in some cases from the arm to the wrist. In all cases the wrist and ankle remain slim and unaffected with a ‘cuff-like’ appearance which separates the enlarged limb. It predominately affects women and is widely undiagnosed.

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 appear just above the ankles and wrists

• Affected limbs bruise easily

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

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

• Legs can be hypersensitive to touch and pressure

• Lipoedemic fat pads accumulate on upper outer thighs, inner thighs and above, below and inside the knee –  often causing abnormal gait and joint pain

• Hypermobility

• Altered skin temperature, texture and appearance

• Restrictive diets have very little effect on Lipoedemic fat