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  • Knee pain in women with lipedema is frequently misattributed and undertreated. We outline a biomechanical and inflammatory cascade linking systemic adipose dysfunction, anabolic resistance, and thigh-predominant sarcopenia to dynamic knee valgus, plantar arch collapse, altered gait, patellofemoral malalignment, and ultimately chondromalacia patellae. We integrate synovial-adipose crosstalk and the high prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility as amplifiers of joint loading. This framework supports a practical, staged approach that couples symptom control with progressive, targeted strengthening and gait retraining. Rather than treating the knee in isolation, addressing the cascade may reduce pain and improve function.

  • Lipedema, a chronic and painful disorder primarily affecting women without a definitive cure, has traditionally been managed with conservative therapy, notably complete decongestive therapy, across many countries. Recently, liposuction has been explored as a potential surgical treatment, prompting this study to evaluate its effectiveness as possibly the first-line therapy for lipedema. Through extensive literature searches in databases such as CrossRef, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar up to December 2023, and using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality assessment, the study selected seven studies for inclusion. Results showed significant post-operative improvements in spontaneous pain, edema, bruising, mobility, and quality of life among lipedema patients undergoing liposuction. However, over half of the patients still required conservative therapy after surgery. Despite these promising results, the study suggests caution due to lipedema's complexity, significant reliance on self-reported data, and limitations of the studies reviewed. Thus, while liposuction may offer symptomatic relief, it should be considered an adjunct, experimental therapy rather than a definitive cure, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to care.

Last update from database: 12/5/25, 8:54 AM (UTC)

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