Want to know more about leg ulcers?
VENOUS LEG ULCERS
Venous leg ulcers generally occur in the 'gaiter' area of the leg, which is the area from the ankle-bone to mid-calf1.
The edges of the ulcer are irregular, with gentle sloping edges and there are usually moderate to heavy levels of exudate and slough present in the wound bed2.
Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to sustained venous hypertension which causes venous leg ulcers. Lower limb blood pooling or edema results due to incompetent valves which normally help direct the flow of blood back to the heart but when damaged can fail to function properly2. This results in abnormal blood flow in the legs and puts patients at risk of forming ulcers.
ARTERIAL LEG ULCERS
Arterial leg ulcers are most usually found on the toes, heels and bony areas of the foot2, or on areas exposed to repetitive trauma3 or rubbing by footwear.
Arterial ulcers have a ‘punched out’ appearance with clear edges and minimal levels of exudate. The wound base is generally pale in color. Tissue necrosis is common. The skin surrounding the wound may appear dusky or reddened, and the skin around the wound is usually cool to the touch2.
Arterial ulcers are the result of reduced blood flow to the legs. The most common cause of this is atherosclerosis. Reduced blood supply leads to tissue being starved of oxygen (hypoxia), which in turn result in tissue damage and ulceration2.
MIXED ARTERIAL-VENOUS ULCERS
Leg ulcers can be caused by a combination of venous and arterial problems2.
References [+]
- Callam MJ, Harper DR, Dale JJ, Ruckley CV. Chronic ulcer of the leg: clinical history. BMJ 1987;294;1389-1391
- Grey JE, EnochS, Harding KG. ABC of Wound Healing: Venous and arterial leg ulcers. BMJ 2006; 332(7537):347-50
- Philips TJ, Dover JS. Leg ulcers. J Am Acad Derm.1991;25(6):965-989