Venous leg ulcers are painful open wounds that occur in the lower leg. These ulcers occur when the valves in blood vessels fail to let blood flow back to the heart resulting in blockage or slowing of blood. Venous leg ulcers can occur spontaneously or after an injury to the leg.

Along with the wound being open and weeping the surrounding skin may darken accompanied by swelling or eczema. The ulcer may be painless despite its appearance unless it becomes infected. The degree of inflammation determines the amount of pain. These ulcers require treatment in order to heal partially or completely.

Venous leg ulcers usually occur at the inside of the ankles. Yellow/green seepage and partial skin loss are common characteristics. Other symptoms include inflammation, leg pain, throbbing, heaviness in the legs and cramping. This is a chronic condition that heals with proper treatment but can reappear frequently.

If calf muscles become injured or weak they lose the ability to contract and are unable to push blood up the leg through the veins. Pressure from blood that congests in the valves of the veins increases the risk of venous leg ulcers.

People at risk of developing venous leg ulcers are the elderly and anyone with limited mobility. People who suffer with obesity and diabetes are also at risk.

Treatment of venous leg ulcers is difficult and tedious. Few patients follow the daily requirements needed to treat the leg ulcers for any length of time. Swelling is the greatest concern and is treated with leg elevation, leg wraps, compression and occasionally diuretic pills to reduce excess fluids.

The wound should be kept free of infection and excess discharge kept to a minimum.
Pentoxifylline, an oral medication, may be prescribed to increase blood flow. Venous leg ulcers cause significant disability and health care expenses.