STAGES OF
LIPEDEMA
Today, LipoClinic will discuss Stages of Lipedema – Once the diagnosis of lipedema has been confirmed, the foundation for your journey into a new life without lipedema can be laid. After years of discomfort, something can now finally be done about your condition! Before an adequate therapy is initiated, the doctor must first determine the stage and severity of the lipedema.
STAGES AND TYPES OF LIPEDEMA
There are three stages and four types of lipedema. Depending on how advanced your lipedema is, we will choose the correct therapy for your diagnosis.
In order to describe the structure of the tissue as well as the skin texture, lipedema is divided into three stages. The classification of the severity is based on the evaluation of the visible skin surface and on palpation finding. Although the skin surface appears very smooth in the first stage, those affected can already suffer from severe pain in the extremities, which makes long periods of walking and standing impossible. Therefore, the severity of the pain is not taken into account in the evaluation.
Stage 1: Skin surface smooth, subcutaneous fat tissue thickened, fat structure finely nodular
Stage 2: Skin surface uneven, dents, bumps, fat structure coarse-knotted
Stage 3: Tissue coarser and harder, large-lobed pocket formation of skin
DIFFERENTIATION OF FOUR LIPEDEMA TYPES
The stage of the lipedema is classified by the condition of the skin and of the surrounding tissue. Besides classifying lipedema by the stage, there is also a classification by type. Classification of lipedema by type is based on the affected body areas.
Type 1: The subcutaneous fat is increased particularly in the area of the buttocks and hips. The consequence is the so-called ‘saddlebags‘.
Type 2: The lipedema has spread to the knees. There is an increased formation of fat on the knees’ inner side.
Type 3: The disease extends from the hips to the ankles.
Type 4: Lipedema now also affects the arms. The wrists are not affected.
