Lower limb assessment

Abstract

Lower limb Assessment in Adult Patients 'at a glance clinical review article for commissioned series'. Chronic venous insufficiency Chronic venous disease is a common problem that is often overlooked by healthcare practitioners. It is estimated to affect ≥30% of the adult population although this is difficult to calculate due to a significant number of under-diagnosis (Radak et al., 2016). Venous disease is considered to cost is between 600-900 million to 2.5 million euros a year across Western Europe (Radak et al., 2016; Rabe and Pannier 2010). These costs include investigations, treatment and management, deterioration of quality of life and loss of working days (Rabe and Pannier 2010). The main risk factors of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) increases with age and obesity. It is therefore recognised that the prevalence is slowly rising increasing the socioeconomic burden (Rabe and Pannier, 2010). Venous blood flows from the skin to the superficial veins (found in the subcutaneous tissue), which drain into the deep veins. Bicuspid valves in the veins function to keep blood moving in one direction and prevent backflow of blood. Venous insufficiency is an impaired flow of blood through the veins caused by valve incompetence (where the values are unable to close This article will:  Provide clinical guidance on early indications for chronic venous insufficiency