Development and clinical evaluation of a computerized limb volume measurement system (CLEMS)

Limb edema is a common problem in both rehabilitation and acute care settings. In the past, attempts to determine an optimal management strategy for limb edema have been limited by the lack of accurate, noninvasive, rapid, clinical tools for quantifying limb volumes. The water displacement method is slow and difficult to use in the clinical setting. Furthermore, water displacement requires that the limb be in a dependent position. The tape measure method is unreliable because it is difficult to position the tape measure on a swollen limb. The development and evaluation of a new tool called the computerized limb volume measurement system (CLEMS) is described. The shape and volume of a limb or limb segment can be rapidly measured by CLEMS, independent of limb position. The limb volumes generated by CLEMS were compared to volumes determined by water displacement and by a tape measure. Volumes of eighteen legs (plaster, nonedematous and edematous) were measured using CLEMS, water displacement, and the tape measure. In all cases, the CLEMS and water displacement methods showed close agreement. CLEMS was found to be a reliable and valid new method of determining limb volume; whereas, the tape measure method was found to be invalid. This new tool allows clinicians to measure the efficacy of different treatment strategies in the management of limb edema.