Arterial Insufficiency Venous Lymphedema

Insufficiency
Skin Shiny, waxy, dry, Hemosiderin staining, Fibrotic changes to
reddish to purplish dry, flakey, fibrosis of skin
the skin
Decreased leg and Color of skin stays is
foot hair Fibrosis about the same

Dependent red
Elevated pallor

Skin around wound

may be black
Temperature Cool ↑ temp of skin
Pulses Diminished/Absent Intact
Nails Abnormal growth,
thick, fungus looking
Wound Necrotic and pale Granulation is usually Can develop cysts,
present fistulas, lymphorrhea,
Wound well defined papillomas, and
borders Wet, weepy from hyperkeratosis
exudates
Lacks granulation Susceptibility to
Borders are not well infection
defined
Impaired healing
Location Distal extremities LEs proximal to Entire limb is affected
below ankle, fingers medial malleolus and
lower leg Loss of ROM and
mobility
Swelling Some Yes, unilateral or Yes, uniformed,
bilateral LEs Pitting edema in early
stages, non-pitting
later stages

Distal/adjacent to
lymph dysfunction
Elevation Pain with elevation Helps in early stages Not helped by
elevation
Pain Painful, similar to Not very, minor dull Mild to intense.
intermittent leg pain, aching, Fatigue, heaviness,
claudication. heaviness, itching, pressure or tightness
fatigue Numbness/tingling