Overview of leg ulcers

The most common type of leg ulcers are venous leg ulcers, which account for up to 80%. Ulcers due to peripheral arterial disease are less common, representing approximately 15%. Mixed arterial and venous leg ulcers occur in 10 to 15% of patients. Leg ulcers unrelated to arterial or venous disease (eg malignancy, vasculitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, traumatic or drug-induced ulcers) account for approximately 5%.

For patients with a leg ulcer, undertake a thorough assessment with history and physical examination to identify features of venous or arterial disease (see #lwg2-c10-s1__tlwg2-c01-tbl1 and Assessing patients with an ulcer or wound). Consider uncommon causes of leg ulcers, including malignancy (see Differential diagnoses for ulcers or wounds).

Educate patients about the cause of the ulcer, the treatment plan (including patient participation), and how to prevent recurrence.