Venous Ulcer: Review Article

Venous ulceration is the most severe and debilitating outcome of chronic venous insufficiency in the lower limbs and accounts for 80 percent of lower extremity ulcerations. The morbidity caused by them has a serious impact on the quality of life. Sustained venous hypertension, caused by venous insufficiency leads to venous ulceration. The diagnosis is mainly clinical but needs to be differentiated from other causes of lower limb ulcers. Doppler ultrasound is the diagnostic investigation. Treatment options for venous ulcers include conservative management, mechanical treatment, medications, and surgical options. The goals of treatment are to reduce edema, improve ulcer healing, and prevent recurrence. The achievement of good long term results depends on continuous care, ulcer care clinics, home health nursing and regular evaluation by the doctor. They have a crucial role to play for the amelioration of this common and morbid condition.