non pitting edema

behney · Newbie Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

Hello! I have suffered from hypothyroidism for over 6 years now. Lately I have developed edema on my leg and the doc called it non pitting edema in contrast to pitting edema. I don’t think I got the difference right, so I was wondering if anyone could give me a better explanation about how these two forms of the swelling differ! Thank you

shelia · Silver Member Joined: 21 Oct 2000 Posts: 272

Pitting edema is a swelling in which when you put a pressure to the skin of a swollen leg and it causes an indentation in the skin that persists for some time after the release of the pressure. non pitting edema usually effects legs or arms, pressure that is applied to the skin does not result in a persistent indentation. One cause of non-pitting edema of the legs is called pretibial myxedema, which is a swelling over the shins that occur in some patients with hypothyroidism. The non-pitting edema of the legs is difficult to treat. Diuretic medications don’t usually help, but elevation of the legs periodically during the day and compressive devices may reduce the swelling.

non pitting edema

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