Slight pitting Somewhat deeper pit Pit is noticeably deep Pit is very deep No visible distortion No readably detectable May last more than 1 Lasts as long as 2-5 Disappears rapidly distortion minute minutes Disappears in 10-15 seconds Dependent extremity looks Dependent extremity is (2-4 mm indent) fuller and swollen (4-6mm) grossly distorted (6-8mm)
Assessment Chart for Pitting Edema adapted from the Guelph General Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Pathway