How do venous leg ulcers develop?
Venous leg ulcers are the most severe symptom of chronic venous insufficiency. The compromised blood flow to the heart is mainly caused by venous valve incompetence. The resulting reflux leads to an ambulatory venous hypertension which also extends into the capillaries. Pathologic dilatation and deformation as well as increased extravasation are the consequences.
Ultimately nutrients and oxygen are unable to diffuse to the skin. This causes death of skin tissue and the development of a venous leg ulcer.
Where do venous leg ulcers develop?
The wounds are mostly located on the inside of the lower leg: About 80% of ulcerations are located around the ankle and behind the malleolus. They can be difficult to heal and require a comprehensive therapeutic approach also tackling the underlying cause.
What are the stages of venous disease?
The stages of chronic venous insufficiency can
be classified according to CEAP:
C = Clinical class signs (what it looks like)
E = Etiology (origin)
A = Anatomic extent (where it is located)
P = Pathophysiology (cause)
| Grade |
Clinical signs |
|
| C 0 | No evidence of venous disease | |
| C 1 | Superficial spider veins | |
| C 2 | Varicose veins | |
| C 3 | Edema of venous origin | |
| C 4 | Skin changes | |
| C 5 | A healed venous leg ulcer | |
| C 6 | An active venous leg ulcer | |
