Identifying and managing lipoedema in your practice

Lipoedema is a genetic condition affecting an estimated 11% of women. Lipoedema is characterised by disproportionate painful fat below the waist, easy bruising and is associated with co-morbid hypermobility, obesity, venous disease and swelling. Many affected women develop early joint arthritis, reduced mobility and psychological sequelae. Poorer quality of life is well documented. Lipoedema is often misdiagnosed as lymphoedema and obesity. This lecture will cover how to identify lipoedema in women and discuss lipoedema management principles to help you gain improved treatment outcomes for your patients affected by this disorder.

Presenter

Helen Eason is an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist who trained in the UK and for the last 24 years has specialised in oncology and lymphatic disorder management. After relocating to Melbourne, Helen was Lead Clinician and Manager of the Oncology Physiotherapy and Lymphoedema Unit at Monash Health for 11 years, before moving into private practice in 2015. Helen was awarded titled status for lymphoedema and cancer by the Australian Physiotherapy Association in 2020 in recognition for her advanced skills in these areas.

Outside of clinical work, Helen is a PhD candidate at University of Sydney currently researching assessment tools for the lipoedema phenotypes. Helen has been invited to present at various oncology, lymphoedema and lipoedema conferences worldwide, and has been involved in numerous steering groups and think tanks aiming to advance provision of lymphatic care. Helen is actively involved in the Australasian Lymphology Association, previously chairing the committee for the National Lymphoedema Practitioner Register. Helen is actively involved in advocacy and awareness of lipoedema and was presented with a lipoedema star award by Lipoedema Australia in 2022 for her efforts in these areas and her research.

Host

Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema National Group

Date of Live Event

07/08/2023

CPD Hours

1.0 Hours

Please note: The content of this Lecture on Demand (LOD) was captured via a recording of a live lecture at the APA premises. Due to the nature of the event and the recording method, this LOD may not have captured some of the questions/comments from live audience. Your purchase of this module indicates your acceptance of this.