Patient/caregiver was educated on the grading of edema as follows:
- Patient was instructed upon applying pressure on his extremity at the site of swelling and hold the pressure for 5 seconds.
- Pitting edema results in indentation that can last for a few seconds. Depending on the extent of indentation and the length of time it persists, pitting edema can be graded.
- Grading scale is as follows:
- Grade 1+: Mild pitting of about 2 mm or less that disappears immediately after the pressure of finger is released.
- Grade 2+: Pitting of about 2 mm – 4 mm that will persist for about 10 – 12 seconds, after the pressure of finger is released.
- Grade 3+: Pitting of about 4 mm – 6 mm that will persist for about one minute, after the pressure of finger is released.
- Grade 4+: Pitting of about 6 mm – 8 mm that will persist for about 2 – 5 minutes, after the pressure of finger is released.
- The higher the grade of pitting, the more serious the disease process is, with the patient.
- If your pitting is deteriorating on the scale (for example, it progressed from Grade 2 to Grade 3) or is persisting at one point on the scale and is not improving, report this to your doctor immediately.
