Pathophysiology and Conservative Treatment of Venous Ulcers: A Review

Abstract

Defined as an ulceration in a lower extremity caused by venous hypertension, venous ulcers are a common condition which are known to affect approximately 1% of the population. They cause substantial socioeconomic burden and significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Although a number of diagnostic procedures are applicable in diagnosis of venous ulcers, color-flow duplex ultrasound remains the gold standard. For therapeutic options, compression therapy remains the mainstay. Adjunct therapies such as physiotherapy, manual lymphatic drainage, or phlebotonics can be considered to provide symptomatic relieve. This article aims to provide an overview of the anatomy and pathophysiology of venous ulcers as well as their conservative treatment.