Topic Overview

What is a venous skin ulcer?

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A venous skin ulcer, also called a stasis leg ulcer, is a shallow wound that develops when the leg veins do not move blood back toward the heart normally ( venous insufficiency ).

Venous skin ulcers typically develop on either side of the lower leg, above the ankle and below the calf..

What causes venous skin ulcers?

The veins in the body have valves that keep blood flowing toward the heart. In a condition called venous insufficiency, the valves are damaged and allow some blood to back up in the vein. The slowed circulation causes fluid to seep out of the overfilled veins into surrounding tissues, causing tissue breakdown and ulcers. See an illustration of abnormal blood flow caused by venous insufficiency .

Less frequently, blocked veins are a contributing factor in the development of venous skin ulcers.