Glossary of terms

Plain-English definitions for the clinical terms you’ll see across this site and hear in your visit. We linked terms with a dedicated page on this site to that page, so you can read more without losing your place.

Anti-inflammatory nutrition

A sustainable eating pattern — typically Mediterranean-leaning or the more structured RAD (Rare Adipose Disorders) approach — that lowers systemic and tissue-level inflammation. Part of conservative care for every lipedema patient.

Anti-inflammatory diet (RAD)

“Rare Adipose Disorders” eating approach, designed for chronic inflammatory adipose conditions including lipedema. Emphasizes whole foods, omega-3 fats, low refined carbohydrates and dairy, and adequate protein. See conservative care.

Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)

A licensed physical or occupational therapist with formal post-graduate certification in lymphatic anatomy and manual lymphatic drainage. The right person to perform MLD and supervise compression therapy. We coordinate with CLTs in your home area when you don’t live in Scottsdale.

Compression garments / compression therapy

Medical-grade graduated compression — usually flat-knit garments fitted to your measurements — worn daily to support the lymphatic pump, reduce interstitial fluid, and slow tissue change. The single most important piece of conservative care.

Conservative care

The non-surgical foundation of lipedema treatment: compression, MLD, anti-inflammatory nutrition, lymph-friendly movement, and skin care. Manages symptoms and slows progression; does not remove existing lipedematous tissue. See conservative care.

Cuffing / ankle-sparing

The hallmark physical finding in lipedema: lipedematous tissue stops at a sharp “cuff” above the ankle, leaving the foot itself normal-sized and shaped. The same pattern appears at the wrist when the arms are affected.

Dercum’s disease

A separate disorder characterized by multiple painful subcutaneous fatty tumors (lipomas), distinct from lipedema. Sometimes confused with lipedema because both involve painful adipose tissue, but the distribution, exam findings, and natural history differ. A careful clinician distinguishes them on history and exam.

Fibrosis

The thickening and scarring of connective tissue that develops within lipedematous fat as the disease progresses, especially from Stage 2 onward. Contributes to the firm, nodular feel of advanced lipedema and to the difficulty of removing it without lymph-sparing technique.

Lipedema

A chronic, progressive disorder of subcutaneous adipose tissue that primarily affects women. Symmetric, painful, easily-bruised, distinctively distributed (legs and/or arms, with the feet/hands spared) — and largely resistant to diet and exercise. See what is lipedema?

Lipedematous tissue

The adipose tissue affected by lipedema — biologically distinct from ordinary fat, chronically inflamed, fibrotic in later stages, and densely populated with small lymphatic vessels. The reason ordinary cosmetic liposuction technique is the wrong tool.

Lipo-lymphedema

A condition where long-standing lipedema has overwhelmed the lymphatic system, producing a secondary lymphedema layered on top of the underlying lipedema. The defining feature of Stage 4. The feet are no longer spared at this stage.

Lymph-sparing liposuction

The category of surgical fat-reduction techniques designed to remove lipedematous tissue while deliberately preserving the lymphatic network that runs through it. Differs from cosmetic liposuction in cannula choice, plane of work, motion, and intent. See surgical techniques.

Lymphatic system

The network of vessels and nodes that drain interstitial fluid back into the bloodstream and support immune function. In lipedema patients the lymphatic system is under chronic mechanical and inflammatory burden — which is why every treatment decision is made with the lymphatics in mind.

Lymphedema

Swelling caused by impaired lymphatic drainage. Distinct from lipedema (though they can co-exist as lipo-lymphedema in advanced disease). Lymphedema is often unilateral, often affects the feet/hands directly, and typically shows pitting edema and a positive Stemmer sign. See comparison page.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

A specialized hands-on therapy performed by a CLT. Light, rhythmic, very specific strokes that move lymph fluid toward functioning drainage. Part of conservative care for every lipedema patient, with frequency varying by stage.

Nodular fat / nodules

The small, palpable, pea- to walnut-sized firm structures that develop within lipedematous fat from Stage 2 onward. Feeling these on careful palpation is part of how a clinician confirms lipedema on physical exam.

Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)

A surgical technique using a motorized cannula that vibrates at high frequency, allowing the surgeon to glide through dense lipedematous tissue with less manual force. A workhorse in many of our sessions. See surgical techniques.

Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL)

A surgical technique using a laser fiber delivered through a fine cannula to liquefy fat and stimulate dermal contraction. Used selectively where skin retraction matters most (upper arms, inner thighs). See surgical techniques.

Water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL)

A surgical technique using a specialized cannula that delivers a gentle fan-shaped saline jet to dislodge fat from surrounding tissue as the surgeon aspirates. Particularly useful in fibrotic Stage-3 tissue because it’s unusually gentle on connective tissue and lymphatic vessels. See surgical techniques.

Stage 1 / Stage 2 / Stage 3 / Stage 4

The four clinical stages of lipedema, based on what is happening at the surface of the skin and in the underlying tissue. Stage 1: smooth skin, soft enlargement. Stage 2: nodular skin, indentations. Stage 3: large extrusions, skin distortion. Stage 4: lipo-lymphedema. See the staging page.

Stemmer sign

A clinical-exam finding: the inability to pinch the skin at the base of the second toe (or finger) because the tissue is too thick. A positive Stemmer points toward lymphedema, not pure lipedema. Helpful in distinguishing the two.

Tumescent technique / tumescent anesthesia

The standard local-anesthetic foundation of lipedema surgery: a large volume of dilute lidocaine + epinephrine solution is infiltrated into the treatment area before any aspiration begins. Numbs the tissue, constricts blood vessels (limiting blood loss), and separates fat from connective tissue. Often allows procedures to be performed awake. See surgical techniques.

Type 1 / Type 2 / Type 3 / Type 4 / Type 5

The five anatomical types of lipedema by body distribution: Type 1 (pelvis/buttocks/hips), Type 2 (down through the thighs to above the knee), Type 3 (down to the ankles), Type 4 (upper arms with wrist sparing), Type 5 (calves alone). Most patients carry more than one type. See types page.