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Lipodermatosclerosis is a skin and connective tissue disease. It can form in the lower extremities and is usually in the layer of fat under the epidermis.
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What can be the reasons of leg oedema?
Hypoproteinaemic state Liver cirrhosis Right sided heart failure Venous hypertension Lipodermatosclerosis Inferior vena cave blockage Venous blockage - pelvic tumour
What is the medical term meaning abnormal hardening of bone?
You might be thinking of "scleroderma".Induration is the term for hardening of soft tissues like skin.A hardening of soft tissues, like skin, is called induration.dermatosclerosis
Venous insufficiency?
DefinitionVenous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart.See also:Deep venous thrombosisStasis dermatitis and ulcersVaricose veinsAlternative NamesChronic venous insufficiencyCauses, incidence, and risk factorsVenous insufficiency is caused by problems in one or more deeper leg veins. Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing back towards the heart so it does not collect in one place. But the valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you are standing.The condition may also be caused by a blockage in a vein from a clot (deep vein thrombosis).Chronic venous insufficiency is a long-term condition. It occurs because of partial vein blockage or blood leakage around the valves of the veins.Risk factors for venous insufficiency include:History of deep vein thrombosis in the legsAgeBeing female (related to levels of the hormone progesterone)Being tallGenetic factorsObesityPregnancyProlonged sitting or standingSymptomsDull aching, heaviness, or cramping in legsItching and tinglingPain that gets worse when standingPain that gets better when legs are raisedSwelling of the legsPeople with chronic venous insufficiency may also have:Redness of the legs and anklesSkin color changes around the anklesVaricose veins on the surface (superficial)Thickening and hardening of the skin on the legs and ankles (lipodermatosclerosis)Ulcers on the legs and anklesTreatmentTake the following steps to help manage venous insufficiency:Use compression stockings to decrease chronic swelling.Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Even moving your legs slightly will help the blood in your veins return to your heart.Care for wounds aggressively if any skin breakdown or infection occurs.Surgery (varicose vein stripping) or noninvasive treatments for varicose veins may be recommended if you have:Leg pain, often described as heavy or tiredSkin ulcers or sores caused by poor blood flow in the veinsThickening and hardening of the skin on the legs and ankles (lipodermatosclerosis)ReferencesBergan JJ, Schmid-Schonbein GW, Smith PD, et al. Chronic venous disease. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(5):488-498.Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 68.
Stasis dermatitis and ulcers?
DefinitionStasis dermatitis is a skin condition due to the buildup of fluid (swelling) under the skin.Alternative NamesVenous stasis ulcers; Ulcers - venousCauses, incidence, and risk factorsThe extra fluid that builds up in the body makes it hard for the blood to feed cells and get rid of waste products. The tissue becomes poorly nourished and fragile, resulting in stasis dermatitis. The disorder is common on the ankles because there is less supportive tissue in this area.Poor circulation in the veins (venous insufficiency) can cause stasis dermatitis and craters (ulcers) in the skin. Varicose veins, congestive heart failure, and other conditions can cause the arms and legs to swell, especially the feet and ankles.SymptomsDarkening of skin at the ankles or legsItchingLeg painsOpen sores, ulcersSkin appears thin, tissue-likeSkin irritation of the legsSkin lesion: macule or patchSkin spots, redSwelling of legs, ankles, or other areasThickening of skin at the ankles or legsSigns and testsThe diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin. Your doctor may order tests to examine the blood flow in your legs.TreatmentThe condition that is causing the problem and swelling must be controlled. Treatments may include:Surgery to correct varicose veinsMedications to control heart failureDiuretics to remove excess fluidCirculation in the area may improve as swelling goes down. Raising the legs above the level of the heart can help reduce the swelling. Gradually increasing gentle activity, such as walking, can improve circulation.Elastic stockings may be recommended to improve blood flow from the legs, which will reduce swelling.Treatments for the skin may include wet dressings and topical antibiotics to control infection in open ulcers. Keep the skin area clean.Expectations (prognosis)Stasis dermatitis is often a long-term (chronic) condition. You may minimize symptoms by controlling the condition and swelling.ComplicationsBacterial skin infectionsChronic leg ulcersInfection of bonePermanent scarCalling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop leg swelling or symptoms of stasis dermatitis. Watch for signs of infection:Drainage that looks like pusPainRednessPreventionTo prevent this condition, control the causes of peripheral edema.
Varicose vein stripping?
DefinitionVein stripping is surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs.Alternative NamesVein stripping with ligation, avulsion, or ablation; Saphenous vein ligationDescriptionVaricose veins are swollen, painful veins that have filled with blood. They usually develop in the legs.Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing forward, so the blood does not collect in one place.The valves with varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to become filled with blood, especially when you are standing.Vein stripping for this problem is done to remove a large vein in the leg called the superficial saphenous vein.Vein stripping takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Most people receive either:General anesthesia and will be unconscious and unable to feel pain.Spinal anesthesia, which will make the lower half of your body feel numb. You may also get medicine to help you relax.Your surgeon will make two small surgical cuts in your leg.The cuts will be near the top and bottom of your damaged vein. One will be in your groin. The other will be farther down your leg, either in your calf or ankle.Your surgeon will then thread a thin, flexible plastic wire into the vein through your groin. Your surgeon will guide the wire through your vein toward the other cut farther down your leg.The wire is pulled out through the lower cut, which pulls the vein out with it.Your surgeon may also use hooks to pull out veins during this procedure.If you have other damaged veins, your surgeon may also make small incisions over them to remove them or tie them off.The doctor will close the incisions with sutures (stitches). You will have bandages and compression stockings on your leg after the procedure.Why the Procedure Is PerformedVein stripping may be recommended for:Varicose veins that cause problems with blood flow (venous insufficiency)Leg pain, often described as heavy or tiredUlcers or sores that are caused by excess pressure in the veins (venous ulcers)Blood clots or inflammation in the veins (phlebitis)Improving the appearance of the legLipodermatosclerosis - fatty tissue under the skin that hardens over time from high blood pressure in a veinToday, doctors are doing fewer vein stripping surgeries because there are newer, non-surgical ways to treat varicose veins. These other treatments are less painful and have a much faster recovery time.See also: Varicose Vein - noninvasive treatmentRisksVein stripping is generally safe. Ask your doctor about specific problems that might occur.The risks for any anesthesia include:Allergic reactions to medicinesBreathing problemsThe risks for any surgery include:BleedingBruisingInfectionThe risks for vein stripping include:Bruising or scarringNerve injuryReturn of the varicose vein over timeBefore the ProcedureAlways tell your doctor or nurse:If you are or could be pregnantWhat drugs you are taking; even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescriptionIf you have been drinking a lot of alcohol (more than 1 or 2 drinks a day)During the days before your surgery:You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.Ask your doctor which medications you should still take on the day of your surgery.If you smoke, try to stop. Your doctor or nurse can help. Smoking will slow your healing and recovery.On the day of your surgery:You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything for at least 6 - 8 hours before surgery.Take your prescribed medications with a small sip of water.After the ProcedureYour legs will be wrapped with bandages to control swelling and bleeding for 3 - 5 days after surgery. You may need to keep them wrapped for several weeks.When you are resting, try to keep your legs raised higher than the level of your heart. Place pillows or blankets under your legs to raise them up.You may also wear compression stockings. These help improve blood flow. It is very important to keep your bandages and compression stockings on until all the surgical cuts have healed. Your doctor will tell you when you no longer need them. To prevent the varicose veins from returning, you may have to wear compression stockings for a long time.Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine. Take the medication before your pain gets severe. Do NOT drive or use machinery if you are taking narcotic pain medicine. The medicine will make you drowsy, and it will not be safe for you to drive or operate machines.Take at least 10 to 12 short walks a day, for 5 to 10 minutes each. Do not sit or stand in one place for too long.You will probably be able to return to your normal routine in 2 weeks. However, you should not do strenuous physical activity for 3 to 6 weeks. You should be able to shower 2 days after surgery.Outlook (Prognosis)Surgical vein stripping is usually very successful. It reduces pain and improves the appearance of your leg. Rarely, vein stripping causes scars.ReferencesFreischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 68.Nijsten T, van den Bos RR, Goldman MP, et al. Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(1):110-119.
