LIPEDEMA: DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES — A REVIEW

Zofia Nowakowska; Agniszka Burzej; Maciej Komenda; Aleksandra Marek; Karolina Dziki; Katarzyna Garncarz; Krzysztof Jamroch; Mateusz Kacalak; Julia Szklarska-Komenda; Wiktoria Dybizbańska

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5126

Authors

Zofia Nowakowska Upper Silesian Medical Center of Prof. Leszek Giec of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8030-7341
Agniszka Burzej 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0066-3197
Maciej Komenda 105 Military Hospital SP ZOZ in Żary, Żary, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7327-417X
Aleksandra Marek Central Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3391-5082
Karolina Dziki 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1720-3810
Katarzyna Garncarz 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7554-2715
Krzysztof Jamroch 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2562-1276
Mateusz Kacalak The Nicolaus Copernicus Provincial Multispecialty Center for Oncology and Traumatology in Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3386-0906
Julia Szklarska-Komenda 105 Military Hospital SP ZOZ in Żary, Żary, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9914-4917
Wiktoria Dybizbańska Independent Public Healthcare Institution of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Kraków, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9899-7272

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5126

Keywords:

Lipedema, Lipedema Treatment, Lipedema Management, Liposuction

Abstract

Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by disproportionate subcutaneous fat accumulation, predominantly affecting women and often emerging during periods of hormonal change. Its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood and is thought to involve genetic predisposition, hormonal influences, and lymphatic or vascular dysfunction. The condition is associated with pain, reduced mobility, and significant psychosocial burden, highlighting the need for improved recognition and management. Lipedema-related literature published between 2015 and 2025 was systematically reviewed using databases including PubMed and Google Scholar, with keywords such as lipedema, fat disorder, lymphedema, obesity, lipedema treatment, diet, weight loss, and liposuction. Meta-analyses, review articles, and original studies published in English were selected based on relevance and recency of findings. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical evaluation supported by characteristic features such as symmetrical limb involvement, pain, easy bruising, and sparing of the hands and feet, with imaging modalities including ultrasonography, MRI, and lymphoscintigraphy serving as adjunctive tools in differential diagnosis. Management requires a multimodal approach combining patient education, conservative therapies, including compression therapy, tailored physical activity, dietary strategies and surgical interventions when indicated. Conservative treatment mainly focuses on symptom control and slowing disease progression. Liposuction, particularly water-assisted techniques, remains the only intervention capable of permanently reducing pathological adipose tissue.

The aim of the work: The objective of this review is to analyze diagnostic methods for lipedema, as well as treatment strategies, including conservative therapies and surgical interventions.

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