Leg Ulcer

Chronic leg ulcer (lian chuang) refers to a chronic skin ulcer occurring over the shin area. Historical texts also refer to it as “trouser-cuff sores,” “skirt wind,” or “rotten leg”; it is commonly known as a long-standing, non-healing leg ulcer. The condition is more common in people who stand or walk for prolonged periods and is often a late-stage complication of varicose veins. It most commonly affects the lower third of the inner or outer side of both lower legs and is not seasonal. It broadly corresponds to chronic lower-limb ulcers in Western medicine.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Prominent, distended superficial veins in the lower leg, with localized itching, redness, swelling, and pain, followed by ulceration and persistent weeping; the ulcer bed appears dark and devitalized. May be accompanied by thirst, constipation, and dark-yellow urine; a yellow, greasy tongue coating and a slippery, rapid pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • The superficial veins on the lower leg are clearly visible and bulge prominently.
  • The affected area may itch and become red, swollen, and painful.
  • The skin may then break down, with ongoing fluid discharge that keeps the wound wet and slow to dry.
  • The surface of the wound may look dark and devitalized.
  • There may be thirst and constipation.
  • The urine may be yellow to dark yellow.
  • The tongue coating may be yellow and greasy.
  • The pulse may feel slippery and faster than usual.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Clear heat and drain dampness; harmonize the nutritive level and resolve toxicity.

In Plain Language:

  • Aims to clear internal heat and help drain dampness, which may ease symptoms such as a feverish feeling, a heavy sensation in the body, or difficulty urinating.
  • Aims to harmonize the nutritive level and address pathological factors in the body, which may ease symptoms such as red, swollen sores, sore throat, or skin eruptions.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

Si Miao Wan (Four Marvels Pill)

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Long-standing disease; the ulcer bed is pale, with pale granulation tissue, while the surrounding skin is dark and firm. The limbs feel heavy, with fatigue and weakness; the tongue is pale-purple or has purple spots, with a white coating; the pulse is thready, choppy, and weak.

In Plain Language:

  • The condition has lasted a long time. The wound looks pale, new tissue is pale, and the surrounding skin is dark and hard, almost like a board.
  • The limbs may feel heavy and weak, and fatigue may be easily felt.
  • The tongue may look pale-purple, or have purple spots, and the tongue coating may be white.
  • The pulse may feel very fine, uneven, and weak.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Tonify qi and invigorate blood; dispel stasis and promote new tissue growth.

In Plain Language:

  • Aims to support the body’s qi and promote blood circulation, which may ease discomfort such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or blood stasis.
  • Aims to resolve stasis and promote the formation of new blood and tissue, which may help address signs such as bruising, lumps, or wounds that are slow to heal.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

References

  1. Wang Gang, Li Yunping, Liu Zhenbin. Advances in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment for lower-limb venous ulcers [J]. Tianjin Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014(7): 446-448.
  2. Li Wenhao. Thirty-six cases of lian chuang treated with Compound Huanglian Ointment [J]. Journal of External Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2001(6): 36.
  3. Dong Yu, Huang Feng, Wang Yu, et al. Case report on the treatment of yin-pattern sores in lian chuang using Wang Yuzhang’s method of warming yang and promoting tissue growth [J]. World Chinese Medicine, 2015(12): 1912-1913.
  4. Ji Jichun, Chen Changkuan. Thirty-one cases of lian chuang treated externally with Shengji Powder and Qingdai Ointment [J]. Journal of External Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1996(3): 23.
  5. Wang Jin, Xu Baoli, Liu Xiangdong. Thirty-five cases of lower-limb venous stasis ulcers treated with Shengji Yuhong Ointment [J]. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2013(4): 707-708.