Water displacement is an inexpensive and accurate way to measure arm volume in lymphedema. You can easily do it at home with a large clear container.
How to measure:
- Make a horizontal line with a black marker on the outside of the container, approximately 10-15 cm from the top.
- Fill the container with water until it is level with this line.
- Find a landmark on your upper arm. It might be something like a scar or a freckle. Bend your arm at the elbow and immerse it up to this landmark. It is important to use this same landmark each time consistently.
- Once the water settles, have someone draw a second horizontal line on the outside of the container.
The water volume between the two lines represents the volume of your arm. You can repeat this procedure from time to time to see if the water will go above (increase in volume) or below (decrease in volume) this line.
If you have yet to have surgery, you can measure your arm, giving you a baseline to compare with in the future.
Please note that any increases or decreases in body weight will affect these volumes.