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.