Shockwave therapy in lipedema patients: A prospective study.

This article focuses on evaluating the efficacy of early postoperative shockwave therapy (SWT) in reducing fibrosis and improving outcomes after liposuction for lipedema, a chronic disorder characterized by abnormal fat accumulation and associated tissue changes. In a prospective study of 75 female patients with stage II–III lipedema undergoing power-assisted liposuction (PAL), those receiving SWT starting one week after surgery showed significantly lower fibrosis severity, enhanced skin elasticity, reduced pain, and higher patient satisfaction compared to controls. SWT’s antifibrotic effects are attributed to its mechanical disruption of fibrotic tissue, modulation of inflammatory pathways, inhibition of fibroblast activity, promotion of angiogenesis, and recruitment of stem cells. These findings suggest that integrating SWT into postoperative care may optimize both functional and aesthetic results in lipedema patients undergoing liposuction.