Supporting Compression Selection in Lipoedema Care
A practical guide to navigating garment options, containment needs and clinical decision-making
Compression therapy is widely recognised as an important component of lipoedema management. Yet selecting the most appropriate garment is rarely straightforward.
Clinicians must consider far more than compression class alone. Tissue characteristics, limb shape, pain sensitivity, mobility, functional goals, garment tolerance, and patient preference all influence successful outcomes. As the complexity of presentation increases, so too does the need for structured clinical reasoning and a clear understanding of available compression options.
To support this process, LES has developed the Lipoedema Compression Selection Guide – a practical resource designed to assist clinicians in comparing garment options and navigating compression choices across a range of lipoedema presentations.
Why compression selection can be challenging
Unlike many other oedema presentations, lipoedema often involves:
- Painful and pressure-sensitive tissues
- Significant shape distortion and limb contour changes
- Lobules, skin folds, and irregular limb transitions
- Functional limitations affecting donning and doffing
- Variable tolerance to compression fabrics and garment designs
- The need for both conservative and post-surgical compression strategies
These factors mean that successful garment selection requires careful consideration of both clinical presentation and product characteristics.
Introducing the LES Lipoedema Compression Selection Guide
The guide brings together manufacturer-supplied information from leading compression providers into a single reference document designed to support clinical decision-making.
Resources are organised using consistent clinical categories, allowing clinicians to compare options across different suppliers and product ranges.
The guide includes compression options for:
- Mild lipoedema presentations
- Moderate to severe lipoedema presentations
- Upper limb involvement
- Lower limb involvement
- Truncal compression needs
- Cut-and-sew garment options
- Flat knit garment options
- Post-surgical compression garments
More than a product catalogue
The purpose of this resource is not to recommend a particular garment.
Instead, it is designed to support clinicians in:
- Exploring available compression options
- Comparing garment characteristics across suppliers
- Understanding when greater containment may be required
- Considering alternatives when comfort or adherence is a challenge
- Identifying options for complex limb shapes and post-surgical care
- Strengthening discussions with manufacturers and suppliers
By presenting information in a consistent format, the guide makes it easier to compare products while applying individual clinical reasoning.
Supporting collaboration with industry partners
One of the strengths of the guide is that it brings together information from multiple compression providers in a single resource.
Each participating company has contributed product information, fitting considerations, and contact details to support clinician learning and product exploration.
This allows clinicians to:
- Broaden their awareness of available options
- Engage more effectively with suppliers
- Access product-specific expertise when required
- Consider a wider range of solutions for complex presentations
Using the guide in practice
The guide can be used to:
- Support garment selection discussions with patients
- Explore options when current garments are poorly tolerated
- Assist clinicians who are newer to lipoedema management
- Compare flat knit, cut-and-sew, and post-surgical solutions
- Inform conversations with manufacturers regarding custom garments
- Support ongoing professional development in compression therapy
Importantly, the guide is intended to complement comprehensive assessment and individualised care planning, not replace it. Clinicians are encouraged to consider patient presentation, comorbidities, functional needs, and tolerance when selecting compression therapy.
A final reflection
Compression selection in lipoedema is rarely about finding a single “best” garment.
It is about finding the most appropriate solution for the individual in front of you. One that balances containment, comfort, function, tolerance, and long-term adherence.
The LES Lipoedema Compression Selection Guide has been developed to support that process by bringing together practical information, supplier insights, and comparative product knowledge into one accessible resource.
Acknowledging our Industry Partners
LES acknowledges and thanks Essity, Haddenham Healthcare, Lohmann & Rauscher, medi Australia, and OPC Health for supporting the development of this resource and ongoing clinical learning. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, and clinicians are encouraged to apply their own professional judgement in all aspects of patient care.
