Preliminary review: should venous leg ulcers be considered healed or in remission?

Fabio Bellini, Massimo Rivolo
27 September 2020

This article aims to open discussion about the need to change the term ‘healed’ to a more appropriate one when referring to venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The use of ’in remission’ may be a better way to define VLUs that have closed, highlighting the underlying long-term condition, as per diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Five questions were formulated, with the intention of starting a planned debate between experts in order to reach a formal consensus on this and additional topics. A narrative literature search was performed to underpin the first four questions and to create a structured rationale for the need to raise awareness of VLUs as a chronic condition and to shape services that provide patients with appropriate follow-up during ulcer-free periods.