Leg Ulcers
A leg ulcer is a wound below the knee that fails to heal, and its cause must be established before treatment: venous, arterial, diabetic/neuropathic, pressure, inflammatory, traumatic and malignant ulcers need different pathways.
Definition
A leg ulcer is a break in the skin of the lower limb that fails to heal, commonly defined as persisting for more than 2 weeks. It may be venous, arterial, diabetic or neuropathic, pressure-related, inflammatory, traumatic, infective or malignant.
First principles
An ulcer is a sign, not a diagnosis
Leg ulceration is a persistent break in the skin, often defined clinically as a wound that has not healed within 2 weeks. Venous disease is common, but arterial, diabetic or neuropathic, pressure, vasculitic, inflammatory, traumatic and malignant causes must be considered. The site, appearance, pain, pulses, oedema, neurological findings and comorbidities guide the classification.
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