An injection drug user may develop chronic venous insufficiency. Inspection of the legs should be included in the evaluation of all injection drug users.
Patient selection: injection drug user
The primary risk factor is a history of injecting drugs into the groin and legs.
Manifestations of the chronic venous insufficiency:
(1) varicose veins
(2) edema of the lower extremity
(3) stasis dermatitis with discolored skin
(4) skin ulcerations
(5) leg pain
(6) functional disability associated with impairment of leg function and pain
Infection risks:
(1) HIV and viral hepatitis C
(2) cellulitis and/or subcutaneous abscesses
(3) endocarditis
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