swellingsgraad

Swellingsgraad is a clinical term used to describe the degree of swelling in soft tissues. It is employed to quantify edema or inflammatory swelling and to document changes over time in a patient. The assessment is typically based on inspection and palpation and can be supplemented by objective measures such as limb circumference, volumetric analysis, or imaging when needed. In practice, swelling is commonly graded on a numeric scale, often ranging from 0 to 4, with higher numbers indicating greater swelling. Some approaches use a pitting edema scheme (1+ to 4+), where the depth and duration of an indentation after applying pressure are assessed.

Grade definitions vary by setting, but typical interpretations are: 0 = no swelling; 1+ or 1 = mild swelling with a slight indentation that resolves quickly; 2+ = moderate swelling with noticeable indentation that subsides more slowly; 3+ = marked swelling with a deep pit that lasts longer; 4+ = severe swelling with a very deep indentation and substantial tissue excess. In non-pitting edema, indentation is absent and swelling is described as non-pitting.

Clinical use: tracking the progression of conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, or post-traumatic injuries; guiding treatment decisions (compression, elevation, diuretics) and evaluating response to therapy. Limitations include observer variability, patient posture, and the underlying cause, which can affect accuracy. The swelling grade should be interpreted within the broader clinical context.