This loss of valvular function can result from an age-related decrease in valve competency.Īlternatively, specific events, such as deep venous thrombosis, surgery (e.g., vein stripping, total knee arthroplasty, harvesting of saphenous veins for coronary bypass), or traumatic injury, can severely damage the function of the lower-extremity venous system. Hence the need for valves in veins but not arteries”. Something else has to help this blood get back to the heart. Banda further says “Remember that the heart does not pump vein blood back to itself. Disturbed function of the 1-way valvular system in the venous network of the legs results in a backflow of blood down the leg instead of the normal persistent upward flow towards the heart. Stasis dermatitis occurs as a direct consequence of venous insufficiency. These changes usually take many years to develop and patients may be treated for years with creams and salves which do not solve the problem.
This Ankle Discoloration will worsen over time and will eventually result in the development of open poorly-healing wounds called venous stasis ulcers.
BLACK AND BRUISED WINE SKIN
The most common manifestation of stasis dermatitis is the development of brown color changes in the skin at the inner aspect of the ankle. An exception would be patients with acquired venous insufficiency due to surgery, trauma, or thrombosis. Stasis dermatitis typically affects middle-aged and elderly patients, rarely occurring before the fifth decade of life. Indeed, recurrent cellulitis of several times a year may also be facilitated by venous insufficiency”. Banda says, “When redness is evenly distributed between the two legs and seemingly unresponsive to common treatment for cellulitis, the cause may well be stasis dermatitis and not a bacterial infection. It is a skin sign of chronic venous insufficiency with venous hypertension and may be a precursor to more problematic conditions, such as venous leg ulceration.Īccurate diagnosis is critical, as many patients treated for cellulitis may actually have stasis dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease that occurs on the lower extremities (see the image above). Although the easiest association is with dark pigment, venous insufficiency may also as persistent redness of the lower legs and feet.
Foot and Ankle discoloration, when caused by hemosiderin, is called Stasis Dermatitis and is a sign of Venous Insufficiency, also called venous reflux disease and venous hypertension among other names. Hemosiderin is a brownish pigment caused by the breakdown of blood hemoglobin, the iron content in red blood cells. Do you or someone you know have foot or ankle discoloration? Have you noticed swelling or indents from socks that worsen later in the day? These may be signs of Vein Disease.Īnkle Discoloration / Areas of darker skin color in the lower leg, ankle or foot may be from hemosiderin deposits.
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