Evidence summary: Venous leg ulcers: Exercise

Abstract

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are chronic wounds that occur on the lower leg due to venous disease. (Level 1). Evidence from small clinical trials suggests that range of motion, strength and aerobic exercises (including walking) are effective in improving strength1 and flexibility.2, 3 Although there is no strong evidence that this translates to improvements in VLU healing,2, 4-6 people with VLUs did experience improvements in objective measures of calf muscle pump function (e.g. ejection fraction) when they participated in exercise programs1, 4, 5 (Levels 1 and 2).