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Slim, evenly shaped legs are often considered the ideal of beauty in our society. But for many women, this standard is simply unattainable. While some women with strong or thick legs may be bothered by fashion trends, the everyday lives of others are often characterised by restricted movement, feelings of heaviness and even pain – the typical symptoms of lipoedema. Prejudicial looks from those around you and general public pressure add to the burden.
Thick legs can have various causes. In addition to classic nutritional problems and lack of exercise, pathological changes can also be the cause. These include cellulite, obesity or lipedema. As these diseases of the fatty tissue often have similar symptoms, they are not always easy to distinguish from one another. To make matters worse, they can also occur together. It is therefore not surprising that it often takes many years before a clear diagnosis can be made. Women affected may have to wait a correspondingly long time for the right treatment.
Recognising thick legs caused by illness is not only the task of medical specialists, but also challenges the patient herself to deal with this problem. Today’s blog post is therefore intended to help you categorise and better understand the causes of thick legs.
Thick legs are not always caused by a serious illness. Depending on the time of year, your job or your health situation, temporary swelling of the legs can also occur. They often increase during the course of the day and can largely disappear again in the evening. This can be triggered by high temperatures in summer, prolonged sitting at a desk or water retention caused by medication. The lower legs and feet or ankles are predominantly affected by such temporary swellings. Although these are usually unpleasant, they are not associated with pain.
The situation is completely different when a disease of the fatty tissue causes thick legs. The swelling then initially affects the thighs and does not disappear on its own. Classic overweight due to lack of exercise can be the trigger. From a certain extent, doctors speak of obesity, which can be categorised into different degrees of severity. This is a chronic nutritional and metabolic disorder. However, it often occurs not only on the legs and is usually painless. Special diets and exercise therapies can bring about an improvement depending on the stage.
Obesity is not the same as lipedema. The chronic fat distribution disorder can occur on both legs at the same time and is characterised by symmetrical swelling. Lipedema is almost always accompanied by pain. Other typical signs are increased sensitivity to pressure, an increased tendency to bruise and heavy, tired legs. A special feature of lipoedema is its resistance to sporting activities and dietary therapies.
It is often difficult to distinguish between obesity and lipedema, especially when the diseases are still in the early stages. Moreover, both disorders can also occur in combination. Cellulite – also known as “orange peel skin” – can also develop on the thighs alongside lipedema. In the following overview, we have compared the two conditions that are mainly responsible for thick legs and their symptoms.
In order to understand the formation of thick legs, it helps to look at the possible causes. Although diseases of the fatty tissue, such as lipedema, have not yet been fully researched, there are many indications that hormonal changes play a decisive role. Find out more about this topic in the blog article Lipedema and the role of hormones.
One possible origin for the development of thick legs is lipedema. According to current findings, lipedema often occurs on the arms and legs. In addition, affected women also report lipedema-like symptoms in other areas of the body such as the buttocks, abdomen, chest, back or face.
Depending on the stage, lipedema can present differently on the legs. In most cases, thickened subcutaneous fatty tissue forms in the thigh area, which increasingly affects the body contours. The so-called saddlebags can develop. As the condition progresses, the fat pads spread and thicken the knees and ankles. The fatty tissue can be clearly felt under the skin and is often perceived as pressure-sensitive ‘noodles’. Even slight bumps can cause haematomas. In the later stages, fat flaps often hang down on the inside of the thighs, knees and ankles, causing chafing. This can cause the joints to become inflamed and lead to deformities.
Regardless of the stage, lipedema is often accompanied by severe pain in the affected areas of the body, which can also occur during periods of rest. The everyday life of lipedema patients is often severely impaired. The thick, aching legs make walking and especially climbing stairs difficult. Even carrying light weights then becomes a real burden. In the most severe stage, fluids can accumulate alongside the diseased fat and lymphoedema can develop. This is known as lipo-lymphoedema, which can develop if lipedema remains unrecognised and untreated for a long period of time.
The scenario of the lipedema stages makes it clear how important early diagnosis is. Because the sooner countermeasures are taken, the greater the chances of improvement. You should therefore consult a doctor early on if you notice that you have thick legs. Especially if you have an otherwise slim body.
You can also carry out a lipedema test yourself, which will give you important clues and help you to better categorise your condition. If you suffer from unexplained pain in your legs and notice unusual fat deposits that cannot be influenced by diet or exercise, you can carry out a simple self-test.
To the self-test
It is important to know that this self-test only gives you an initial orientation and does not replace a professional diagnosis. However, it is a very good basis for a consultation with a specialist.
With these findings, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible who can confirm or rule out your suspicion that you have lipedema with thick legs. In addition to your GP as your first port of call, the following specialists are suitable for clearly diagnosing lipedema and: Phlebologists (dermatologists, surgeons, internists), lymphologists (vascular specialists, internists) and specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery. You will find many of these specialists in the LIPOCURA® specialist centres. Thanks to targeted tests and a wide range of expertise, you will receive a diagnosis that leads to a customised treatment. We always use holistic methods that take into account the patient’s entire health situation.
There are various treatment methods to combat lipedema in thick legs, which are mainly based on the severity of the disease. The first step is usually conservative treatment, such as customised compression garments (girdles or stockings), which exert targeted pressure on the affected tissue and stimulate lymph flow. This method is supported by regular manual lymphatic drainage. This is a gentle massage technique that relieves the feeling of tension and reduces accumulated fluids in the tissue. The treatment also helps to reduce the circumference.
However, according to previous experience, only liposuction can provide lasting relief. At the LIPOCURA® specialist centres, we have been successfully performing liposuction for lipedema for many years. Our specialists have extensive experience in this effective treatment method. The focus is always on the individual and their needs. We know exactly what psychological stress you are under if you suffer from lipedema. That is why we endeavour to improve your life situation. Our specialists believe that this goal can only be achieved through special lipedema surgery according to the LIPOCURA® standard.
By taking targeted measures in your everyday life, you can make a significant contribution to the treatment of thick legs caused by lipedema. A healthy, protein-rich diet and adapted exercise therapy are recommended. The following tips should help you to implement these measures:
Although there are various causes for thick legs, it may be a lipedema disorder. As the chronic fat distribution disorder is easily confused with other diseases such as obesity, a precise differentiation and diagnosis is necessary. You can carry out a lipedema self-test for an initial assessment. This will support the subsequent consultation and examination by a specialist.
As with any disease, early action is crucial for the subsequent success of the treatment. Therefore, if you suspect that you have thick legs due to lipedema, you should not wait too long and contact a specialist with confidence. Treatment is often initiated using conservative methods. However, according to current knowledge, lasting relief from symptoms can only be achieved through surgical liposuction. The specialists at LIPOCURA® will be happy to help and advise you in detail. With our holistic treatment concept, we would like to help you achieve a new quality of life so that you can soon say goodbye to your thick legs.
What is the cause of thick legs?
Thick legs can be caused by various factors. Possible triggers include organic diseases of the kidneys, heart or thyroid as well as venous and lymphoedema. Hormonal changes or genetic predispositions are also considered to be causes. In addition, unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise can lead to general obesity, which often also affects the legs. Metabolic diseases or fat distribution disorders such as obesity or lipedema are also considered to be the cause of thick legs.
Are all thick legs pathological?
Thick legs do not always have to be caused by a disease. They are often temporary swellings caused by the summer heat, prolonged sitting or water retention (as a result of taking medication). They usually disappear on their own as soon as the cause has been eliminated.
How do I know if I have lipedema?
Whether lipedema is responsible for the development of thick legs can only be determined by a specialist diagnosis. This requires a detailed medical history and examination by a specialist. If you notice painful swelling, bruise quickly and have heavy legs, a lipedema self-test can give you an initial orientation. The findings will support the consultation with your doctor.
What to do if your legs are getting thicker and thicker?
If your legs are getting thicker and thicker, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. If you have lipedema, it is crucial to start suitable therapy as soon as possible. This usually involves wearing compression stockings and manual lymphatic drainage. However, only surgical liposuction can bring about permanent freedom from symptoms.
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