Leg Ulcers

Also see more specific article on Venous Leg Ulcers.

The aetiology of leg ulcers may be venous, arterial or both. It is very important to decide the aetiology of the ulcers as this has crucial implications for management. However, it is not uncommon to have a venous ulcer in the presence of arterial insufficiency and this complicates matters.

The prevalence of venous stasis ulcers in the UK is between 1.5 and 3 per 1,000 population but it tends to be a condition of the elderly and over the age of 80 the figures are 20 per 1,000 people. Between 80 and 85% are venous ulcers. There may be an arterial component in 10 to 20% of cases.

There is no difference in prevalence between socio-economic classes but in people from lower social classes they take longer to heal. About 80% are managed entirely in the community and the cost to the NHS is estimated at around 400 million a year.²

Risk factors

Both venous and arterial ulcers tend to be a feature of the elderly although not exclusively.^2,3 Features in the past history may indicate the origin.

Risks for venous ulcers²

• Varicose veins
• Previous deep vein thrombosis in the affected leg
• Phlebitis in the affected leg
• Previous fracture, trauma, or surgery
• Family history of venous disease
• Symptoms of venous insufficiency: leg pain, heavy legs, aching, itching, swelling, skin breakdown, pigmentation, and eczema

Risks for arterial ulcers⁴

• Coronary heart disease
• History of stroke or transient ischaemic attack
• Diabetes mellitus
• Peripheral vascular disease including intermittent claudication
• Obesity and immobility

The type of ulcer may be apparent from its position and associated features.

Venous ulceration

This is usually around the circumference of the lower leg from approximately mid calf to just below the malleoli. There is often peripheral oedema.

They are larger but shallower than other ulcers. Stasis ulcers have a moist granulating base and an irregular border. This base oozes venous blood when handled. There may be varicose veins and varicose eczema. There may be signs of stasis dermatitis around the ulcer. Hyperpigmentation is due to haemosiderin deposition or iron pigments in the skin. Lipodermatosclerosis is dermatitis followed by induration and dermal fibrosis.

There may be atrophie blanche (smooth, ivory-white plaques stippled with telangiectasia and surrounded by hyperpigmentation).

Patients often complain of mild pain that is relieved by elevation. Oedema of the lower leg is common.

Arterial ulcers

These are often more distal and on the dorsum of the foot or toes.

Initially they have irregular edges, but this may become more clearly defined. The ulcer base contains greyish, granulation tissue. Handling, such as debriding these ulcers produces little or no blood.

Nocturnal pain is typical. It is worse when supine, and is relieved by dangling the legs out of bed.

There are often features of chronic ischaemia, such as hairlessness, pale skin, absent pulses, nail dystrophy and wasting of calf muscles.

Neurotrophic ulcers

They have a punched-out appearance with a deep sinus. These are often under calluses or over pressure points such as the plantar aspect of the first or fifth metatarsophalangeal joint. They are often surrounded by chronic inflammatory tissue. Probing or debriding may lead to brisk bleeding. They are usually painless and the surrounding area will show diminished or absent sensation.

Further examination⁶

Assess the ulcerated area:

• Serial measurement (length and width) is an indicator of the success of healing.
• Tracing of the margins and photography may be helpful.
• Note the site of the ulcer.
• Assess the edge of the ulcer (shallow, punched out, rolling).
• Assess the base of the ulcer (granulating, sloughy, necrotic) and its position.
• Note the condition of surrounding skin, odour, and signs of infection.

As well as inspecting the ulcer or ulcers:

• Check peripheral pulses.
• Check sensation.
• Inspect the patient standing for varicose veins. Note any peripheral oedema and varicose eczema.
• Examination of the pulse should be performed and record blood pressure and BMI.

The possibilities of arterial, venous and neuropathic ulcers have already been mentioned.

• Rheumatoid arthritis can produce a vasculitic ulcer. It is typically deep, well-demarcated and punched-out on the dorsum of the foot or calf. They may also have venous disease due to poor mobility, neuropathy, and possibly impaired healing due to use of steroids.
• Systemic vasculitis often causes multiple leg ulcers that are necrotic and deep. There is usually an atypical distribution with vasculitic lesions elsewhere such as nail-fold infarcts and splinter haemorrhages. Associated diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polyarteritis nodosa, or Wegener's granulomatosis.
• Diabetic ulcer is typically on the foot over a bony prominence. Neuropathic, arterial, and venous components may all contribute.
• Hypertensive ulcer, due to arteriolar occlusion, is painful with necrotic edges, and is usually on the lateral aspect of the lower leg.
• Malignant ulcer may be a basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, or Bowen's disease. They are rare, but must be considered if ulceration does not respond to conventional treatment or if the appearance is unusual.
• Trauma, infection, metabolic and haematological disease can also cause ulcers.

• Check urine for glucose unless the patient is known to be diabetic when check the records for diabetic care and the level of control.
• If there is any suggestion of active infection take swabs, but routine swabs are not recommended.
• Get blood tests for FBC, ESR, U&E and creatinine.
• Having checked the brachial blood pressure in the usual way, check the blood pressure with a cuff around the calf. A larger cuff will probably be needed. Measure both sides. This enables the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) to be calculated and is a more sensitive assessment of arterial disease than simply palpating peripheral pulses. Even if the ulcer is thought to be venous this is important before pressure bandages are applied.Hand held Doppler gives a much more sensitive assessment of ABPI than auscultation.
• Venography gives little functional information and has been superseded by duplex imaging, which is indicated for patients with recurrent or complicated varicose veins, short saphenous incompetence, or suspected deep venous disease.⁸ Superficial venous incompetence is almost universal and is the predominant cause of venous hypertension in approximately half of limbs with venous ulcers, particularly in younger patients with good mobility.⁹ Venous function in patients with mixed deep and superficial disease should be investigated by ambulatory venous pressure measurements.¹⁰ This involves cannulation of a foot vein and the use of tourniquets to occlude incompetent superficial veins to select those patients who may benefit from superficial venous surgery.
• Magnetic resonance venography has been used to produce three-dimensional images that can contribute considerably to the management of recurrent varicosities.¹¹
• Computerised tomography may also have a role.⁸

Interpretation of ABPI¹²

• An ABPI of 1 is normal. Graduated compression bandages may be applied if the figure is 0.8 or higher.
• ABPI between 0.5 and 0.8 suggests arterial disease and requires referral to a vascular clinic for further assessment. Compression bandages are best avoided but reduced compression can be used under strict supervision if the ulcer is clinically of venous origin. Clinical progress should be checked daily initially and compression modified accordingly.
• ABPI less than 0.5 suggests arterial ulcers and compression treatment is contraindicated. Referral should be made to a vascular clinic for further assessment and possible revascularisation.
• ABPI measurements in patients with diabetes or atherosclerosis may be falsely high and misleading. Calcification of the vessels causes rigidity and artificially high readings.
• Microvascular disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic vasculitis cannot be assessed by ABPI. Where there is doubt, such patients should be referred for specialist assessment.

About 80% of venous ulcers can be managed in primary care but it is important to know who to refer to a vascular or other clinic.

• If the ABPI is less than 0.8, refer for further assessment of arterial disease.
• If the ABPI is less than 0.5, refer urgently.
• Suspected malignant ulcer, a rapidly deteriorating ulcer, or diagnostic uncertainty require referral. An atypical appearance or distribution of ulcers may require biopsy by a dermatologist or duly accredited GP. Even if it is not malignant, healing will be poor if it has poor blood supply.
• Refer suspected rheumatoid ulcer, or ulcers associated with systemic vasculitis.
• People with diabetes with an ulcer on the foot should be referred according to local arrangements.
• If acute ischaemic changes develop because of compression bandaging, this requires urgent vascular referral.

This depends upon the cause but good nutrition, attention to hygiene and cessation of smoking are beneficial.

Arterial ulcers

This will usually require referral for assessment and care. It is really the management of peripheral vascular disease and is discussed elsewhere.

Neuropathic ulcers

The cause of the neuropathy must be sought. It is usually diabetes and good control is important. It may not yet have been diagnosed. If possible the cause of the neuropathy should be treated but a reversible cause will be exceptional.

The patient must be educated about the origin of the ulcer. Pain serves a purpose. It warns us when things are wrong and usually stops us from persisting. With impaired sensation, feet should be checked every night. Attention to socks and shoes is important. People can walk around with objects in their shoes because they cannot feel them. Check the temperature of bath water with the elbow before getting in. Do not go around with bare feet.

If the blood supply is good and recurrent insults are avoided the ulcers should heal well. However, there may also be a vascular component that requires attention.

Venous ulcers

These are discussed in the Venous leg ulcer article.

Mixed arterial and venous ulcers

These should be managed in a specialist clinic; they sometimes benefit from a combination of compression bandaging and revascularisation procedures.¹³