Illustration copyright 2002, 2003 Nucleus
Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com
In venous insufficiency, the valves in the veins have become damaged.
Theses valves normally keep blood flowing toward the heart. But damaged valves
allow some blood to flow backward. This causes the veins to become overfilled.
Fluid seeps out of the engorged veins into surrounding tissues. This results in
tissue breakdown and venous skin ulcers.
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Margaret Doucette, DO - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wound Care, Hyperbaric Medicine |
|
Last Revised
|
August 31, 2011 |