Varicose Veins to Venous Ulcers: The Stages of Chronic Venous Disease

Venous leg ulcers (VLU) are the final manifestation of what is called chronic venous disease (CVD), and CVD is a complicated process that affects millions of people in the United States and worldwide. Varicose veins are probably the most infamous of the manifestations of CVD, but there are other signs and symptoms that, if identified early enough, can help treat the disease before it advances in severity. As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and it certainly rings true in CVD. In this discussion, we will give a brief background into how CVD develops (its pathophysiology), and then we will work through recognizing the different stages of the disease.

**Please note that while these signs and symptoms are beneficial in categorizing venous disease, they may indicate a different, worrisome condition. Please consult a doctor if you have any concerning signs or symptoms, as they will be able to help guide the diagnosis and management.**

C0

No signs of disease

C1

Telangiectases (widened venules called “spider veins”) or reticular veins (small rope-like veins) develop as the venous blood pressure increases and stresses the wall.

C2

Varicose veins develop as the disease begins to affect the larger veins. These veins are large (≥3 mm) and twisted and may be seen as skin- or blue-colored, fluid-filled bumps.

C3

Edema (or swelling) of the leg occurs as the veins become leaky, and your skin may indent if you press into it with a single finger.

C4a

Pigmentation and/or eczema will occur. When blood cells leak out of the veins, they release a chemical called hemosiderin, which has a red-brown color, and it also activates melanocytes, which produce the brown melanin pigment. As inflammatory cells leak from the vein, they will cause irritation of the skin, and the skin will become red and itchy (eczema).

C4b

Lipodermatosclerosis and/or atrophie blanche will occur. Fibrin is a key structural component of the vein, but as the vein is damaged, it can leak out and deposit into the skin. This leads to thickening and scar-like formation, making the skin feel tough and inflexible. Lipodermatosclerosis is thickening with continued red-brown coloration, but atrophie blanche will be lighter or whiter in color.

C5

Healed venous ulcer

C6

Active venous ulcer. An ulcer is a break in the skin, so that it is no longer acting as a barrier to the environment. It usually occurs in the “gaiter” region of the leg (from the mid-calf to the ankle bones) and will have a red base that oozes. They are generally mildly painful, but the pain may be relieved by raising the leg.

CS

There are many symptoms that you may feel that could indicate venous disease at any stage. These include (but are not limited to): aching, soreness, pain, tightness, skin irritation, heaviness, muscle cramps, burning, and fatigue.

About the Author

Dr. Dev Batra, M.D. is a vein specialist and founding partner of Texas Vascular Institute. Holding board certifications in radiology and vascular & interventional radiology, he is well-versed in vein issues and has been voted one of D-Magazine’s best doctors in Dallas for three years running.

This blog post was written with research and editorial assistance from OnChart™.

Footnotes

[A] Chronic venous disease (CVD) may also be referred to as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), venous obstruction, or venous reflux disease.

[B] When fluids flow in a tube, they exert a force on the walls of that tube parallel to the flow. This force is called the shear stress and is related to the composition of the fluid and the speed at which it flows. Higher shear stress from normal blood flow tells the cell that everything is working properly, so when the shear stress falls, the cell reacts by releasing signaling chemicals directed toward inflammatory cells.

References

[1] Creager, Mark A., and Joseph Loscalzo.. “Chronic Venous Disease and Lymphedema.” Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 20e Eds. J. Larry Jameson, et al. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

[2] Raffetto JD. Pathophysiology of Chronic Venous Disease and Venous Ulcers. Surg Clin North Am. 2018;98(2):337-347.

[3] Chi YW, Raffetto JD. Venous leg ulceration pathophysiology and evidence based treatment. Vasc Med. 2015;20(2):168-81.

[4] Vasudevan B. Venous leg ulcers: Pathophysiology and Classification. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(3):366-70.

[5] Vasquez MA, Rabe E, Mclafferty RB, et al. Revision of the venous clinical severity score: venous outcomes consensus statement: special communication of the American Venous Forum Ad Hoc Outcomes Working Group. J Vasc Surg. 2010;52(5):1387-96.

[6] Grey JE, Harding KG, Enoch S. Venous and arterial leg ulcers. BMJ. 2006;332(7537):347-50.

Medical Disclaimer

The Materials available in the Texas Vascular Institute blog are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients.