A venous leg ulcer (VLU) is an open skin wound, or lesion, and that shows little progress towards healing within 4-6 weeks of when it initially occurred. VLUs usually occur between the ankle and the knee (medial side of the lower leg) and are the most common type of chronic lower limb wound.¹

VLUs are caused by disease or disrupted vein function, also known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and ambulatory venous hypertension. CVI usually results from damage to the valves in the leg veins (for example, varicose veins) or as a result of venous thrombosis.¹ Ambulatory venous hypertension occurs in patients with varicose veins, when there is an inadequate decrease in venous pressure while walking and exercising.