Which of the following describes venous ulcers?

Which of the following describes venous ulcers?

• A. Arterial ulcers are near the malleolus with edema.
• B. Venous ulcers occur near the medial or lateral malleolus with irregular edges, granulation tissue, edema; pulses present.
• C. Venous ulcers distal to toes with pale base; severe pain improved with elevation.
• D. Arterial ulcers with heavy drainage near malleolus.

Answer: (B)

Venous ulcers come from chronic venous insufficiency and tend to form around the ankles where gravity and edema cause skin breakdown. The description that fits best notes ulcers near the medial or lateral malleolus with irregular edges, granulation tissue, and edema, while pulses remain present because arterial flow is intact. These features—ankle vicinity, irregular, granulated wound edges, visible healing tissue, and edema—are classic for venous ulcers and help distinguish them from arterial ulcers, which typically have a pale, dry base, well-defined (often punched-out) edges, severe pain, and diminished pulses, and from ulcers with heavy drainage in arterial disease, which is less typical.

Venous ulcers come from chronic venous insufficiency and tend to form around the ankles where gravity and edema cause skin breakdown. The description that fits best notes ulcers near the medial or lateral malleolus with irregular edges, granulation tissue, and edema, while pulses remain present because arterial flow is intact. These features—ankle vicinity, irregular, granulated wound edges, visible healing tissue, and edema—are classic for venous ulcers and help distinguish them from arterial ulcers, which typically have a pale, dry base, well-defined (often punched-out) edges, severe pain, and diminished pulses, and from ulcers with heavy drainage in arterial disease, which is less typical.