"Effect of Endermologie-Assisted Physiotherapy on Edema, Pain, and Functional Recovery After Liposuction for Lower-Limb Lipedema"

Summary

Lipedema is a chronic condition that mainly affects women and causes abnormal fat accumulation, pain, heaviness, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty with movement, especially in the lower limbs. Liposuction is sometimes used to reduce the abnormal fatty tissue in people with lower-limb lipedema. However, after surgery, patients may still experience swelling, pain, bruising, tissue stiffness, and reduced mobility during recovery.

Physiotherapy is an important part of recovery after liposuction for lipedema. It may include compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, gentle exercises, walking, skin care, and patient education. These treatments aim to reduce swelling, improve circulation, support tissue healing, and help patients return to daily activities.

This study will investigate whether adding Endermologie to a standard physiotherapy program can improve recovery after liposuction for lower-limb lipedema. Endermologie is a non-invasive mechanical massage technique that uses gentle suction and rolling movements to mobilize the skin and soft tissues. It may help support lymphatic drainage, reduce swelling, improve tissue flexibility, and decrease discomfort.

Participants in this study will be divided into two groups. One group will receive only standard postoperative physiotherapy. The other group will receive standard postoperative physiotherapy plus Endermologie sessions. The study will compare both groups to see whether Endermologie-assisted physiotherapy provides a better improvement in swelling, pain, tissue stiffness, mobility, and overall functional recovery.

The results of this study may help physiotherapists develop more effective rehabilitation protocols for patients recovering from liposuction for lower-limb lipedema.

Conditions

• Lower-Limb Lipedema
• Lipedema

Interventions

DEVICE

Endermologie-Assisted Physiotherapy

Mechanical massage-assisted physiotherapy consists of standard postoperative physiotherapy combined with non-invasive mechanical soft-tissue mobilization using controlled suction and rolling movements. The intervention will be applied to the operated lower-limb areas after surgeon clearance and according to patient tolerance. Treatment will aim to support postoperative edema reduction, pain relief, tissue mobility, and functional recovery. Areas with open wounds, infection, hematoma, seroma, severe bruising, excessive tenderness, or other postoperative complications will be avoided.

DEVICE

Standard Postoperative Physiotherapy

Standard Postoperative Physiotherapy is a structured rehabilitation program after liposuction for lower-limb lipedema. It includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression garment education, gentle exercises, walking progression, breathing exercises, limb elevation advice, skin care, and activity modification. The program aims to reduce edema and pain, support tissue healing, and improve functional recovery.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

25 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-13

Primary Completion

2026-04-12

Completion

2026-05-12

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations