Skip to content
EN

Language

Book consultation

Lipoedema or lymphoedema? Examination in Dortmund

Sturdy, painful legs can have many causes. How lipoedema, lymphoedema, cellulite and excess weight differ, where they overlap and how we carry out the examination at Westfalenklinik in Dortmund.

Book consultation0231 54 504 900
Who will treat you hereDr. Reifenrath, Dr. Gruner, Dr. Simidjiiska, Dr. med. univ. Zamani, Prof. Witt, Dr. Jenner
Lipoedema
on both sides, hands and feet stay slim
Lymphoedema
often one-sided, feet or hands swell too
Cellulite
dimples in the skin, not a disease
At a glance

The differences at a glance

Lipoedema
increased fat on the legs or arms, on both sides, painful on pressure
Lymphoedema
fluid that has backed up, often one-sided, feet or hands swollen
Cellulite
dimples in the skin surface, no pain
Overweight
fat all over the body, also on the abdomen and trunk
Mixed forms
lipolymphoedema, lipoedema with excess weight
Diagnosis
Conversation, examination and palpation
Ultrasound
rules out other causes, does not prove lipoedema
Examination
at Westfalenklinik, Dortmund
  • Symmetry and slim feet: lipoedema affects both sides equally and ends at the wrists and ankles.
  • Pain as a clue: pain on pressure points towards lipoedema; cellulite and excess weight do not hurt.
  • Mixed forms are common: that is why the distinction belongs in medical hands.

Having your legs assessed in Dortmund: examination at Westfalenklinik

“I just have sturdy legs” – many women with lipoedema hear this sentence for years, often from themselves as well. Yet behind painful, heavy legs there is sometimes a condition that needs its own treatment. Lipoedema, lymphoedema, cellulite and excess weight look similar at first glance but differ in important ways. At Westfalenklinik in Dortmund, we take the time to clarify these differences with you.

The specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery is located at Rosemeyerstraße 2–4, directly on the B1/A40, very close to Signal Iduna Park. By car, leave the B1 at the Dortmund-Hombruch exit, turn right into Wittekindstraße and after 700 m turn right into Rosemeyerstraße; parking is on the building's parking deck directly in front of the entrance. From the main station, take the U45 to Stadtgarten and continue with the U42 to Theodor-Fliedner-Heim.

Four possible causes of sturdy legs

  1. 01

    Lipoedema

    The subcutaneous fatty tissue on the legs, hips or arms is pathologically increased, equally on both sides. Typical are pain on pressure and touch, a feeling of heaviness and tension, and a marked disproportion between a slim upper body and sturdy legs. Hands and feet stay slim.

  2. 02

    Lymphoedema

    In lymphoedema, fluid backs up in the tissue because lymph drainage is disrupted. It often starts on one side and also involves the feet or hands. If the swelling is pressed, a dent can remain.

  3. 03

    Cellulite

    Cellulite means dimples in the skin surface that arise from the structure of the connective tissue. It is very common, does not hurt and is not a disease.

  4. 04

    Overweight

    With excess weight, the fat is distributed over the whole body, including the abdomen and trunk. Pain on pressure is not part of it, and people who lose weight usually lose it everywhere.

    You can also read how lipoedema differs from “normally” thick legs in the article Lipoedema or just thick legs – what is the difference?.

The signs compared

One side or both?

Lipoedema always affects both sides of the body equally. Lymphoedema often starts in one leg or one arm.

Hands and feet

In lipoedema, the increase in fat often ends as if cut off at the wrists and ankles. In lymphoedema, the feet or hands often swell too.

Pain on pressure

In lipoedema, pressure and touch often hurt out of proportion. Cellulite and excess weight do not cause such pain.

Abdomen and trunk

In lipoedema, the trunk usually stays slimmer than the legs and arms. With excess weight, the abdomen also gets bigger.

If you lose weight

In lipoedema, a diet mainly changes the upper body; the legs and arms stay sturdy. With excess weight, the proportions change overall.

Dents after pressure

If a dent remains in the swelling after pressing with a finger, this points more towards deposited fluid, as in lymphoedema.

Hand resting on a woman’s legs, illustrative image for examining the tissue in lipoedema

The pinch test and toes: what doctors check

Whether lipoedema is present is determined by the medical examination. This includes the conversation about your symptoms and your medical history, a look at shape and proportions, and palpation of the tissue. In the so-called pinch test, the doctor carefully takes the tissue between their fingers. In lipoedema, this is often clearly painful.

Another clue that doctors check is the skin over the toes: if it cannot be lifted into a fold on the back of the second toe, this can point to lymphoedema. Ultrasound can rule out vein disease and other causes, but it cannot prove lipoedema. None of these signs is enough on its own; only the overall picture gives the diagnosis.

Mixed forms: lipolymphoedema and lipoedema with excess weight

The four causes are not mutually exclusive. If lymphoedema occurs in addition to lipoedema, this is called lipolymphoedema. The lymphoedema then needs its own treatment, where applicable in consultation with doctors from other specialities, before pathological fatty tissue can be removed.

Lipoedema and excess weight also often occur together. This plays a role in the treatment: the course of lipoedema can be linked to weight development, and BMI limits apply to liposuction as a German statutory health insurance benefit. If you want to lose weight first, we also advise you in Dortmund on weight loss with medical support.

Curious to know more?

Write to us and we will call you back:

ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2026 for the Westfalenklinik98 %Recommendation rateon ProvenExpert
Book consultation

This page is protected by a privacy-friendly spam protection: the check runs in your browser, without tracking and without cookies.

When you should have your legs checked by a doctor

Not every change in the legs or arms is a cause for concern. However, you should have these signs checked by a doctor:

  • Pain on pressure or touch in the legs or arms
  • A swelling that affects only one side
  • Feet or hands that swell too
  • Legs that stay clearly sturdier than the upper body despite weight loss
  • A feeling of heaviness and tension that increases over the course of the day

If, on the other hand, a leg swells suddenly and painfully, do not wait for a consultation appointment: see a doctor immediately or go to the emergency department, because a thrombosis, for example, can be behind it. In a life-threatening situation, call the emergency number 112.

For the assessment of lipoedema, you can contact Westfalenklinik in Dortmund. Depending on the findings, we will also tell you which specialty can help if lymphoedema or vein problems are suspected.

Why the right distinction matters

  • Each of the four causes needs a different treatment
  • A lymphoedema is treated separately before liposuction
  • For German statutory health insurance cover, a confirmed lipoedema diagnosis is needed
  • Cellulite is not a disease and not a cause for concern

How the diagnosis works and who may make it for German statutory health insurance is explained under Lipoedema diagnosis in Dortmund. Our lipoedema self-test with ten questions gives you a first orientation; what stages 1, 2 and 3 describe can be found under Symptoms and stages.

Woman in a white bodysuit lying on her side on a light background, illustrative image for assessing the legs

Your examination at Westfalenklinik

In the consultation we talk about your symptoms and previous treatments, examine and measure your legs and arms, and check whether lipoedema, lymphoedema or a mixed form is present.

Afterwards you will know which path is an option for you, whether without surgery or with lipoedema surgery. You can book your consultation appointment online or arrange it by phone on 0231 54 504 900.

What does lipoedema surgery cost in Dortmund? German health insurance or self-⁠pay

If lipoedema is confirmed and an operation is an option, there are two paths. More on this under Lipoedema surgery for patients with German statutory health insurance.

For self-pay patients, the costs depend on the extent of the treatment and the number of body regions affected. After your first consultation you will receive a no-obligation treatment quote; Westfalenklinik’s prices are final prices including statutory VAT. Financing is possible through our financing partner; more under Financing your treatment.

Who will treat you here

The whole team

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether I have lipoedema or cellulite?

Cellulite shows as dimples in the skin; it does not hurt and is not a disease. In lipoedema, the subcutaneous fatty tissue on the legs or arms is pathologically increased, it hurts on pressure and touch, and the legs or arms are clearly sturdier than the upper body. Both can occur at the same time.

How can I recognise lymphoedema?

In lymphoedema, fluid backs up in the tissue. It often starts on one side and also involves the feet or hands. If the swelling is pressed, a dent can remain. Whether lymphoedema is present is determined by the medical examination.

Can you have lipoedema and lymphoedema at the same time?

Yes. If lymphoedema is added to lipoedema, it is called lipolymphoedema. The lymphoedema then needs its own treatment before diseased fatty tissue can be removed.

Are thick legs always lipoedema?

No. Sturdy legs can be a matter of natural predisposition, result from excess weight or fluid retention, or be due to lymphoedema or vein problems. Typical of lipoedema are pain on pressure, a disproportion between the upper body and legs, and slim feet. More on this in the article Lipoedema or just thick legs?.

Does losing weight help with lipoedema?

Losing weight mainly changes the upper body; in lipoedema, the legs and arms often change little. Paying attention to a stable weight is still worthwhile, because the course can be linked to changes in weight. If there is also excess weight, losing weight can ease the symptoms.

What is the pinch test in lipoedema?

During the examination, the doctor carefully takes the tissue between their fingers. In lipoedema, this is often painful out of proportion. The test is one clue among several and does not replace an examination.

Can an ultrasound detect lipoedema?

No. Ultrasound can rule out other causes such as vein disease. Lipoedema is diagnosed on the basis of medical history, symptoms and physical examination.

Can lipoedema be operated on in the presence of excess weight?

That depends on the findings. As a service covered by German statutory health insurance, liposuction requires a BMI below 35, and between 32 and 35 only if the excess weight is predominantly caused by the lipoedema and the waist-to-height ratio is suitable. From a BMI of 35, treatment of the excess weight is required first; if you are a self-pay patient, we advise you on your individual options. Your own value is shown by our WHtR calculator.

What does lipoedema surgery cost in Dortmund?

The costs depend on the extent of the treatment, the number of body regions affected and the stage. As a self-pay patient, you receive a no-obligation treatment quote at final prices after your first consultation at Westfalenklinik; financing is possible through our financing partner.

Where in Dortmund can I have my legs examined?

At Westfalenklinik, Rosemeyerstr. 2–4, 44139 Dortmund. The clinic is located directly on the B1/A40 near the Signal Iduna Park; by car, take the Dortmund-Hombruch exit and park on the building’s car park deck directly in front of the entrance. From the main station, take the U45 to Stadtgarten and then the U42 to Theodor-Fliedner-Heim.

Your question is not among them?

Get in touch with our team now:

ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2026 for the Westfalenklinik98 %Recommendation rateon ProvenExpert
Book consultation

This page is protected by a privacy-friendly spam protection: the check runs in your browser, without tracking and without cookies.

Book consultation

Find your consultation appointment now

Your consultation in 3 steps:

  1. Choose treatment
  2. Choose preferred appointment
  3. confirm by code

or call

0231 54 504 900
The building

Your treatment in Dortmund.

Consultation, procedure and aftercare in one place: at the Westfalenklinik on Rosemeyerstraße.

Directions to the clinic
  • Waiting area of the Westfalenklinik01Waiting area
  • Consultation room of the Westfalenklinik02Consultation
  • Operating area of the Westfalenklinik in Dortmund03Operating area
Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

5,975 reviews of the CGCE Group on ProvenExpert

All reviews on ProvenExpert

Reviews by patients of the Westfalenklinik on ProvenExpert, newest first.

Consultation in Dortmund

Let’s get to know each other.

In the first conversation we listen, examine and explain what is possible and what is not. Afterwards you decide in your own time.

Book consultation0231 54 504 900
Address
Westfalenklinik
Rosemeyerstr. 2–4, 44139 Dortmund
Directions
Consultation hours
Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pmSat 9 am–3 pm
Phone
Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pmSat 9 am–3 pm
Message
Go to the contact form

Phone Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pm, Sat 9 am–3 pmPersonal consultation in Dortmund

0231 54 504 900Ask a questionBook consultation
Ask a question

Write to us.

We will get back to you by email or phone. You can reach us by phone on 0231 54 504 900.

Phone

This page is protected by a privacy-friendly spam protection: the check runs in your browser, without tracking and without cookies.