Pitting Edema on Physical Exam Pitting edema is often diagnosed with a physical exam. The doctor may apply pressure to the swollen skin to check for lasting indentation. ... To properly identify the underlying cause, a doctor may take a detailed medical history and ask about medications. Edema occurs when fluid that accumulates in tissues leads to swelling. When pressure is applied to a swollen area, it may leave a pit, in the skin. In non-pitting edema, the skin will return to its swollen shape once the pressure has been removed. #Pitting #Edema #PhysicalExam #clinical #video #ankle #cardiology