Lipoedema

(asked on 24th January 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what clinical commissioning groups offer treatment for Lipedema as standard.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 1st February 2018

Prevalence estimates for Lipoedema vary, though suggest a minimum of 1 in 72,000 women are affected. Approaches to treatment that may be offered by local National Health Service services are usually non-surgical and may include:

- compression therapy (bandages or garments that squeeze the affected limbs);

- exercise (usually low-impact exercises, such as swimming); and

- massage (techniques that help encourage the flow of fluid through the body).

Liposuction may be also considered, however there is limited evidence for its efficacy in the treatment of the condition and it is not routinely available on the NHS.

As there has been little research into lipoedema, there is some uncertainty about the best way to treat the condition. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has not assessed, and therefore not approved, any approaches for the management or treatment of lipoedema.

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