Edema Evaluations and Interventions

Question 1

how can we determine if someone has edema?

Answer 1

Observation, palpation e.g. loss of wrinkles, pitting Edema, fit of rings

Question 2

what can edema cause?

Answer 2

ROM limitation
nerve paraesthesia

Question 3

how can we quantify edema?

Answer 3

circumferential (measuring tape)
- essential to measure at exactly the same place from test to test e.g. PIP, wrist crease

Volumetric measures - document
changes in the mass of a body
part by use of water displacement

Alternative measurement is the figure-of- eight technique

Question 4

what are some traditional edema interventions?

Answer 4

• AROM
• Elevation (within 48-72 hours of injury,surgery)
• Light retrograde massage
• Compression
• Glove, sleeve
• Wrap e.g. Coban
• Residual limb shaping

Question 5

what are some emerging edema interventions?

Answer 5

• Manual Lymph Drainage
• Manual Edema Mobilization
• Continuous Passive Motion
  Device
• High Voltage Pulsed Current
  (TENS)
• Kinesiotape

Question 6

is edema a normal physiologic response?

Answer 6

yes!