When the valve or the calf muscle pump does not work well, normal blood flow is prevented and blood pools in the lower leg. Individuals with a history of blood clots may also have damage to the valves in the veins.

The vein walls then become stretched and the valves are no longer able to close tightly. This allows more blood to pool in the lower leg. This condition is known as chronic venous insufficiency. As this occurs, pressure increases in the veins resulting in leg swelling.

Vein Valves

Swollen, congested tissue in the legs cannot receive proper amounts of oxygen and nutrients. Waste products cannot be transported back into circulation, so they build up in the tissue. Even a slight injury to the swollen leg can result in skin breakdown. As a result, the skin of the ankle and lower leg can develop an open sore (venous ulcer). Infection may also occur.

Stasis Dermatitis

Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency
Signs of venous insufficiency occur mainly in the lower calf or ankle of the leg and may include:

• pain when standing (relief with leg elevation)
• skin discoloration (brownish color)
• swelling
• dry, scaly, itchy or thickened skin
• open sore (ulcer)

Nurse practitioner Diana Eastridge, APN/C-NP has an expertise in wound care management and using the latest products in treating patients with difficult leg wounds. Identification and treatment of underlying disease and proper wound care often leads to healing of longstanding wounds. Non-operative therapy remains the mainstay of treatment of chronic venous disease, however, in certain instances, corrective surgery is performed.

Contact

For more information regarding venous ulcers, please call the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at 1-866-662-8467 or request a first time appointment online.