Abnormal Finding

When edema is noted describe whether it is unilateral or bilateral, severity graded from 1 to 4+ and whether it is soft or hard pitting.

• Congestive heart failure: Bilaterally symmetrical soft pitting edema.
• Deep vein thrombosis: Unilateral soft pitting .
• Chronic venous stasis: Firm pitting with hyperpigmentation and thickening of skin.
• Hypoalbuminemia: Extremely soft pitting, bilateral and thin skin.
• Lymphoedema: Hard non-pitting with thick pew-de-orange skin.
• Pretibial myxedema: Hard non-pitting.
• Cellulitis: Unilateral, soft to firm tender with red warm skin.