In venous leg ulcer (thesaurus synonyms: atrophic lower extremity ulcer; leg ulcer; chronic lower extremity ulcer; heel ulcer; foot ulcer; lower extremity skin ulcer; indolent foot ulcer; neurogenic lower extremity ulcer; perforated foot ulcer; perforated lower extremity ulcer; post-traumatic leg ulcer; pyogenic lower extremity ulcer; leg ulcer (UC); leg ulcer nonvaricosum; venous leg ulcers; venous leg ulcer without varices; ICD-10 L97) is a substance defect/ulcer (ulcer) of the skin and subcutis that may extend to the bone. The ulcus cruris is localized on the lower leg (usually in the lower third). It is the result of advanced venous disease.
Approximately 60-80% of all leg ulcers are venous leg ulcers.
Regardless of the definition of a chronic wound, a venous leg ulcer is considered chronic.
In the following, under “Pathogenesis – Etiology”, the topic of venous leg ulcer (UC) is presented in addition to the topic of venous leg ulcer.
Gender ratio: Men and women are equally affected.
Frequency peak: venous leg ulcer usually occurs in advanced age.
The prevalence (disease frequency) is strongly age-dependent. For example, it is 0.2% in the 30-39 age group and increases to 1.1% by the age of 70 (in Germany). In the 8th to 9th decade of life, the prevalence is about 1-3 %.
Course and prognosis: The prospect of healing is generally good, but treatment can be very protracted. If the ulcer shows no tendency to heal after three months of therapy or has not healed within 12 months, it is considered refractory. People suffering from leg ulcers also have thrombophilia (tendency to thrombosis) in up to 20% of cases. 56% of patients also complain of neuropathic pain. Venous leg ulcer is often recurrent (recurring), so consistent prevention is required.
