Treatment of venous leg ulcers: 1

The management of venous leg ulcers is an important issue for many health-care professionals. If treatment is to be successful, it is vital that clinicians understand the physiology and disease processes of the venous system in general, and of venous ulceration in particular. Part one of this two-part article presents an outline of the normal physiology of the venous system in the lower limb followed by a brief history of venous leg ulcers and an in-depth analysis of the way in which venous disease can lead to ulceration. The analysis compares traditional theories of leg ulcer development with current hypotheses. Part two will look at the treatment of venous ulcers and associated nursing implications.