Clinical Outcomes of Shochwave Therapy in Lipedema

Background: Lipedema is a chronic condition whose public awareness and detection is constantly growing, yet without strongly validated therapeutic opportunities. Objectives: Given the need to direct lipedema patients toward appropriate management approaches and the demand for new studies and methods, this invetigation aimed to assess the effects of a combined treatment consisting of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), and lifestyle recommendations compared to a 5-week control period prior to treatment in patients with lipedema. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of patients undergoing a 5-week control period with lifestyle recommendations followed by a 5-week treatment period (10 sessions) with a standardized protocol including ESWT, MLD and IPC. Circumference measurements at three designated points on the lower extremities were recorded at the start and end of the control period, and before and after treatment. Results: Data from 55 female patients (age: 46.9 ± 11.9 years, body mass index [BMI]: 29.54 ± 7.33 kg/m²) who completed both the control and treatment periods were included. Analysis of measurement changes over time showed significant improvements in 3 of 6 measured points during the control period, with no significant changes at other levels. In contrast, significant improvements were observed at all levels after treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The combined use of ESWT, MLD, IPC, and lifestyle recommendations was found to be an effective method for managing lipedema treatment. Further studies on the relative impact of each and everyone of these 3 therapeutic components are encouraged.