Venous leg ulcers: Impact and dysfunction of the venous system

Phyllis Gordon; Jeanne M Widener; Melody Heffline

doi:10.1016/j.jvn.2015.01.002

Venous leg ulcers: Impact and dysfunction of the venous system

J Vasc Nurs. 2015 Jun;33(2):54-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jvn.2015.01.002.

Authors

Phyllis Gordon¹, Jeanne M Widener², Melody Heffline³

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing and Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX. Electronic address: gordonp@uthscsa.edu.
² Marshall University School of Nursing, Huntington, WV.
³ Optum Clinical Services, Inc., Elkridge, MD; Southern Surgical Group, West Columbia, SC.

PMID: 26025148
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvn.2015.01.002

Abstract

Management of chronic venous leg ulcers (VLU) can be frustrating for both patient and practitioner. It is a significant source of disability and cost of care. Before the practitioner enters the management phase of VLU care, it is helpful to understand the impact of VLUs. Additionally, it is essential to understand the structure and function of the venous system and manifestations indicative of a dysfunction of the system. This article focuses on the epidemiology, structure, and function of the venous system as well as clinical manifestations and prevention.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Leg / blood supply*
Varicose Ulcer / epidemiology
Varicose Ulcer / physiopathology*
Varicose Ulcer / prevention & control
Wound Healing / physiology*