RT Book, Section
A1 Perdomo, Marisa
A2 Davenport, Todd E.
A2 Kulig, Kornelia
A2 Sebelski, Chris A.
A2 Gordon, James
A2 Watts, Hugh G.
SR Print(0)
ID 1184026971
T1 Edema
T2 Diagnosis for Physical Therapists: A Symptom-Based Approach
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780803615281
LK fadavispt.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1184026971
RD 2024/04/24
AB This  chapter  describes  pathology  that  may  lead  to  edema.  Edema  is  enlargement  of  the  soft  tissues  secondary  to  excess  water  accumulation.  It  can  be  classified  as  intracellular  or  extracellular.  Intracellular  edema  develops  when  there  is  direct  injury  to  tissues,  causing  inflammatory  insult  to  the  cell  or  alterations  in  cellular  metabolism  and  resulting  in  an  increase  in  intracellular  sodium  and  water.  Extracellular  edema  is  an  abnormal  accumulation  of  fluid  and  protein  molecules  in  the  intercellular  spaces  of  tissues.1  Edema  that  develops  in  the  arms  or  legs,  which  is  the  focus  of  this  chapter,  is  called  peripheral  edema.  Peripheral  edema  may  be  due  to  either  a  systemic  dysfunction  such  as  cardiac  or  renal  insufficiency  or  an  obstruction  such  as  a  blood  clot  or  tumor.  The  development  of  edema  may  be  associated  with  loss  of  skin  mobility,  loss  of  joint  range  of  motion,  loss  of  joint  shape  and  definition,  loss  of  muscle  strength,  pain,  and  changes  in  skin  color,  texture,  and  temperature.2