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Lipoedema

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characterized by bilateral, symmetric lower extremity enlargement due to subcutaneous deposition of fat  

involvement typically extends from the buttocks to the ankles; the feet are much less involved or spared entirely

affects women almost exclusively, typically developing insidiously after puberty and progressing gradually

Stemmer's sign is positive in lymphoedema but negative in lipoedema

a positive Stemmer's sign is a skin fold at the base of the second toe too thick to lift

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Gender	Women almost exclusively
Age at onset	Often around puberty
Distribution	Bilateral lower extremities, symmetric involvement
Epidermal change	Absent
Foot involvement	Absent, negative Stemmer's sign
Buttock involvement	Present
Nature of swelling	Soft, minimally pitting
Tenderness	Common with pressure
Easy bruising of affected area	Present
Improvement with elevation and compression	Minimal
Family history	Frequent
History of cellulitis, lymphangitis, and venous disease	Uncommon

Clinical features

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