Complex Decongestive Applications in Patients With Lipedema

Overview

Lipedema is a rare condition which almost exclusively affects women. The disease is characterized with bilateral, symmetric abnormal accumulation of subcutaneous fat and is often mistaken for simple obesity. In most patients, the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, and lower legs are affected. Upper extremity involvement has been reported to be present in 80% patients. The hands and feet are never affected. The accumulation of subcutaneous fat and edema results in tenderness, sensitivity to touch and pressure and also pain. Patients also tend to bruise easily even after a minimal trauma. It has been reported that the complaint of pain increases with aging.There is no known cure for lipedema. However, conservative treatment with physiotherapy, manual lymph drainage and compression, also known as complex decongestive physiotherapy is used worldwide as a standard treatment regimen . The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of complex decongestive applications on lower extremity limb circumference and volume in patients with lipedema.

All participants included in the study were included in a treatment protocol consisting of complex decongestive physiotherapy Each patient received; 1. 45 minutes of manual lymph drainage on both lower extremities, 2. Moisturisation of the lower extremities, 3. Bandage application Alongside this routine, the patients were advised to exercise (walk) regularly every day. This treatment routine was continued until the patients were discharged from the clinic.

Conditions

Interventions