A distance indicator for indicating the distance that a device has traveled includes an elongate housing with a guidewire connector configured for operative connection to a guidewire to hold the housing stationary with respect thereto. A plunger is operatively connected to the housing for longitudinal motion with respect to the housing. A first plunger end is configured to operatively contact the device. As the guidewire connector is holding the housing stationary with respect to the guidewire, the first plunger end is placed into operative contact with the device with the plunger and housing in a first relative plunger/housing position. The device moves longitudinally. The plunger moves into a second relative plunger/housing position assisted by the operative connection between the first plunger end and the device. The longitudinal difference between the first and second relative plunger/housing positions indicates a distance that the device has moved longitudinally with respect to the guidewire.