Swollen, heavy legs with lipedema

The swollen and heavy legs appear gradually in the presence of lipedema. Initially, more and more fatty tissue accumulates on the legs. This is particularly the case in the thigh area, but the lower legs are also quickly affected.

How exactly this fat distribution disorder occurs is not yet known. A connection with hormonal control cycles is suspected. In the advanced stage of lipedema, congestion also occurs in the vascular system. Both the transport of blood through the veins and the transport of the remaining fluid through the lymphatic system can be disturbed. As a result, there is increased fluid retention, which in turn causes the legs to swell more and causes a further feeling of heaviness.

Occurrence of broom tears in lipedema

Spider veins are a consequence of an overload of the venous vascular system. Veins transport the blood from the circulatory system back to the heart.Especially on the legs, this transport must take place against gravity. Especially with diseases such as lipedema, the necessary transport mechanisms can be disturbed.

This leads to a build-up of blood in the veins. The formerly very thin and fine vessels on the skin become increasingly filled with blood. These vessels lose their elasticity, so to a certain extent they become empty. These dilated veins appear as bluish, winding vessels on the skin surface.

Impression of knock-knees in connection with lipedema

Due to the incorrect distribution of tissue and fat mass, the gait pattern is disturbed in the course of a lipedema. Typically, a person with knock-knees has a shift of the leg axis. Normally, the hip joint, knee joint and foot joint should be on the same axis.

With knock-knees, the knee lies further inwards. When talking about knock-knees in the context of lipedema, it is not necessarily the case that there is a shift in the leg axis. Often the impression of knock-knees results from the fat flaps being located on the inner side of the thigh.

Only when a large amount of tissue has accumulated on the thigh can incorrect loading and a change in the leg axis occur. Cellulite occurs almost exclusively in women. It usually appears on the thighs and buttocks in the form of dents in the skin.

This is why the symptom is often called orange peel skin. The variable process takes place in the subcutaneous fatty tissue (directly under the skin) and is characterized by fat accumulation and water retention. The exact mechanism of its development is not yet known.

However, a connection with hormonal changes is suspected. This theory would explain why mainly women are affected during the menopause. Less frequently, the symptoms also occur in girls during puberty (a hormonal change also takes place at this time).