LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS

Course overview

LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS, A CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DISORDER OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES, IS CHARACTERIZED BY SUBCUTANEOUS FIBROSIS AND SKIN INDURATION. LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS IS PRIMARILY ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY AND VENOUS HYPERTENSION AND TYPICALLY AFFECTS MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS. IT IS MOST COMMON IN WOMEN. THE DIAGNOSIS IS PRIMARILY CLINICAL, BUT HISTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION MAY BE NECESSARY FOR CONFIRMATION. TREATMENT OF LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS MAY INCLUDE COMPRESSION THERAPY, LEG ELEVATION, TOPICAL OR INTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROIDS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WEIGHT REDUCTION, OR SYSTEMIC THERAPY WITH ANABOLIC STEROIDS. LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS CAN PROGRESS TO VENOUS ULCERS, AND CHRONIC PAIN IS A COMMON SYMPTOM. LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS IS FREQUENTLY CHRONIC AND RECURRENT, EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR ONGOING MANAGEMENT. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE RISK FACTORS, IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY, INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CHRONIC CONDITION.