Venous Ulcers: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Venous Ulcers: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 01;100(5):298-305 Authors: Bonkemeyer Millan S, Gan R, Townsend PE Abstract Venous ulcers are the most common type of chronic lower extremity ulcers, affecting 1% to 3% of the U.S. population. Venous hypertension as a result of venous reflux (incompetence) or obstruction is thought to be the primary underlying mechanism for venous ulcer formation. Risk factors for the development of venous ulcers include age 55 years or older, family history of chronic venous insufficiency, higher body mass index, history of pulmonary embolism or superficial/deep venous thrombosis, lower extremity skeletal or joint disease, higher number of pregnancies, parental history of ankle ulcers, physical inactivity, history of ulcers, severe lipodermatosclerosis, and venous reflux in deep veins. Poor prognostic signs for healing include ulcer duration longer than three months, initial ulcer length of 10 cm or more, presence of lower limb arterial disease, advanced age, and elevated body mass index. On physical examination, venous ulcers are generally irregular and shallow with well-defined borders and are often located over bony prominences. Signs of venous disease, such as varicose veins, edema, or venous dermatitis, may be present. Other associated findings include telangiectasias, corona phlebectatica, atrophie blanche, lipodermatosclerosis, and inverted champagne-bottle deformity of the lo...
Source: American Family Physician - Category: Primary Care Authors: Tags: Am Fam Physician Source Type: research