Overview
Skin changes and overall poor skin condition of the lower limb may occur due to soft tissue disease; arterial, venous or lymphatic insufficiency; loss of afferent nerve supply or simply poor self-care.
Venous Skin Changes
Look For
- Oedema
- Venous eczema
- Hyperpigmentation
- White scar tissue (atrophie blanche)
- Induration - fibrosis of subcutaneous fat (lipodermatosclerosis)
Significance
- Venous insufficiency.
Causes of Venous Skin Changes
- Venous hypertension due to incompetent valves
- Venous outflow obstruction
- Calf-muscle pump failure - obesity, immobility
Arterial Skin Changes
Look For
- Absent pedal pulses
- Thin / shiny skin
- Cool skin
- Hair loss
Significance
- Partial or complete arterial occlusion.
Causes of Arterial Skin Changes
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Thromboangiitis
- Vasculitis
Overview
The term trophic derives from the Greek trophe, meaning 'nourishment'.
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