What is Lipoedema?

Lipoedema (spelt lipedema in some parts of the world) is a life-long condition where there is abnormal collection of fat cells below the waist. The fat is mostly distributed around the hips and thighs, but can include the knees, calves and ankles. Lipoedema gives one an appearance of having a disproportionately large lower body when compared with the upper body. The arms can be affected in some cases; however the feet and hands usually have a normal appearance. Lipoedema almost exclusively affects women. Many women who suffer from lipoedema complain of discomfort and heaviness of the legs, which is often the reason they seek assistance. This however is not always the case and many women are misdiagnosed (as being obesity or having lymphoedema), go undiagnosed for years, or are never diagnosed.

Lipoedema can be a progressive condition, meaning it gets worse over time. Left untreated, some women go onto developing a more severe type of lymphoedema or developing lymphoedema in addition to the lipoedema. It is thus important to get into a management programme as early as possible, with a team of professionals who are knowledgeable about the condition.

General Enquiries

071 6411 666

Email Contact

gayle@handsinot.co.za

Find Us

29/1 Peter Rd, Tres Jolie AH, Roodepoort, 2040

OR

Shop 13, Hillfox Value Centre, Cnr Albert St & Hendrik Potgieter Rd, Weltevredenpark, Roodepoort

Lipoedema Symptoms

  • You carry extra weight on your lower body (legs and hips)

  • You have discomfort and heaviness in the legs

  • Your upper body seems to be a different size to your lower body, making fitting clothes difficult

  • Your waist is much smaller than your hips and thighs

  • Your excessive weight does not include your hands and feet

  • You lose weight on your upper body, but your lower body doesn’t seem to change much

  • Your legs seem to bruise easily and are tender to the touch

  • You have other women in your family with the same shape

  • The weight is symmetrically (affecting both legs equally)

  • The area of skin over the affected area may be pale and cold

  • The fat is loose, lumpy and soft

Types of Lipoedema

Type I

Fat is around the hips and pelvic area.

Type II

Fat is around the hips and extends to the knees. There is usually a fat pad that can be found on the inside if the knee.

Type III

Fat extends from the hips to the ankles. There is often a “cuff” appearance at the ankle, with the foot being unaffected.

Type IV

Fat is found in the arms (upper/ upper & lower). It is usually in combination with the other types (especially II & III).

Type V

Fat is found in the lower legs. This form of the condition is very rare.

What Does Lipoedema Therapy Involve?

  • PATIENT EDUCATION

    Knowledge is power! Knowing about the condition will assist in making informed decisions about how you are going to manage the condition. We teach you about the condition and guide you to the “do’s and don’ts.” We can guide you about treatment options and help you to network with the professionals who are able to help. There are both non-surgical and surgical treatments and your therapist can discuss the pros and cons of each with you.

  • WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

    An important aspect of lipoedema management is managing excess weight. This will help limit the progression of the condition and prevent the development of secondary and managed complications (such as lymphoedema, pain from osteoarthritis)

  • COMPRESSION GARMENTS

    Not every lipoedema sufferer will require compression hosiery, however many do benefit from the pain relief it can give as well as from the “containment” of the tissues which makes performing daily tasks easier. There are lots of different styles, so consult with your therapist about what may work best for you. If there is concurrent lymphoedema (fluid swelling), compression bandages can be used to reduce the fluid volume, followed by use of compression hosiery to maintain the reduction. Compression hosiery is a must following surgical interventions for lipoedema

  • MOVEMENT AND EXERCISE

    Exercise can be particularly difficult for those suffering with lipoedema due to pain, difficulty finding appropriate clothing to exercise in and the general stigma from others. Exercise and movement play a vital role in stimulating the lymphatics and leads to a healthy more active lifestyle. Your lipoedema therapist can guide you in an appropriate way to get moving and help you find a regimen that works for you.

  • MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE (MLD) / INTERMITTENT PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION (IPC)

    MLD is a specific type of massage that is performed by a lymphoedema trained therapist. It helps to stimulate the lymphatics in order to reduced fluid build-up. In lipoedema, it can be a useful tool to assist in in reducing pain and discomfort associated with lipoedema. IPC is a mechanical massage that is produced by machine pump that inflates a multi-chambered garment in a particular sequence. It has similar benefits to MLD in assisting with lymphatic flow and pain management. Both MLD and IPC should be used in conjunction with other therapies and not in isolation. It is best to consult with your lipoedema therapist regarding their appropriateness for you.

  • PAIN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

    Lipoedema can be associated with pain within the affected tissues. Pain can also arise from changed posture, improper movement patterns/muscle strain, lack of movement, strain on joints and arthritis. Your lipoedema therapist can help identify the cause of the pain and assist with both physical and psychological pain management strategies to help you cope better.

  • PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

    Because lipoedema is an often misunderstood condition, people suffering with the condition often feel stigmatised and can suffer from low self-esteem. The condition, like other chronic conditions, comes with its own set of social and psychological challenges. Your therapist can assist with some practical ways of working on your mental health and put you in touch with others who can give you the support you need, this may be though a support group or by means of professional counselling.

Do you think you may have lipoedema, or have you been diagnosed with lipoedema nd are looking for help? Our lipoedema certified therapist will be happy to answer your questions and guide you in the path to wellness.

“Lipoedema is a chronic condition, that many healthcare providers don’t understand and patients end up getting poor, ineffective treatment and advice. This leaves patients feeling demotivated and lost. I’d like to help to bring understanding, hope and confidence to those suffering with lipoedema.”

GAYLE SEAGO, Occupational Therapist

Affordable Healthcare

Our services are charged at medical aid rates and are provided by qualified, experienced and passionate Occupational Therapists.

Assessments

We provide meticulous assessment and interpretation of test results to confirm a diagnosis and implement appropriate, patient-specific treatment plans.

Home Visits

We offer home visits for your convenience or alternatively you can come to our offices in the tranquillity of Northvale AH. (near Pinehaven).

Frequently Asked Questions

Different medical aids have different rules about therapy. In most cases reimbursement for therapy is subject to your medical savings, if you have funds available, your therapy will be covered. There are certain conditions that can be treated under the umbrella of Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) or Oncology, ask your therapist whether either of these are applicable and we’ll assist with the application process.

Medical aid rates are applicable to all our services offered, so rest assured there are no co-payments..

A typical therapy session is around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the condition being treated. The frequency and duration of treatment varies significantly from person-to-person. Your therapist will be able to give you an estimate on the frequency and duration of therapy once an assessment has been done..

We ask that if you are unable to attend an appointment that you let the practice know at least 4 hours before the appointment to avoid being charged a cancellation fee. We also offer home visits to selected areas on prior arrangement if getting to the practice is difficult.

Yes, we will adapt the therapy session to your needs on the day of treatment. We will help in reducing your pain to get you back on the road to recovery.

Yes, we will be able to assess the wound and assist in changing wound dressings if needed. We will promote wound healing during the therapy process.

A custom splint is one that is made specifically for you and your specific symptoms/condition by a qualified hand therapist. A prefabricated brace is one that you can buy from your local pharmacy or orthopaedic supplier. Custom splints are generally preferred when more accurate positioning of joints and tissue is required. If support is needed short term or intermittently a prefabricated brace might be an option. Speak to your therapist about what option is best for you.

If you have any other questions, please contact us