The Effect of Lipedema on Knee Osteoarthritis

The Effect of Lipedema on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Clinical Symptoms and Ultrasonographic Findings

This study will be one of the few to examine the effect of lipedema on knee osteoarthritis in a comparative manner with a control group within the same osteoarthritis context. Although the relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis has been extensively studied in the literature, the effect of specific adipose tissue pathologies, such as lipedema, on osteoarthritis has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aims to demonstrate the independent effect of lipedema on osteoarthritis, evaluate clinical and ultrasonographic parameters together, and contribute to early diagnosis and targeted rehabilitation strategies.

Inclusion Criteria:

All participants (Group 1 + Group 2)

• Women aged 30-65
• With a clinical and radiological diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis
• Who agreed to participate in the study

Group 1 (knee osteoarthritis with lipedema):

• Patients who meet the Wold criteria for a clinical diagnosis of lipedema
• An increase in subcutaneous fat thickness confirmed by ultrasound

Group 2 (knee osteoarthritis without lipedema):

• No diagnosis of lipedema
• Exclusion of lymphedema and venous diseases

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inflammatory arthritis
• History of knee surgery
• Intra-articular injection within the past 6 months
• Acute trauma
• Systemic connective tissue disease
• Severe venous insufficiency or lymphedema
• History of malignancy
• Use of gabapentinoids/SNRIs/SSRIs due to fibromyalgia or psychiatric illness
• Severe cognitive impairment or communication problems that would prevent participation in the study
• Pregnancy
• Participants who were informed about the study and refused to participate