What is a venous leg ulcer?

A venous leg ulcer is an open, often painful, sore in the skin on the leg below the knee. The ulcers usually develop on the inside of the leg and take more than 2 weeks to heal.

Venous leg ulcers are caused by disease or disrupted vein function, also known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and ambulatory venous hypertension.

Chronic venous insufficiency usually results from damage to the valves in the leg veins (for example, varicose veins) or as a result of venous thrombosis.¹