| Category | Primary abnormality | Consequences |
| Anatomical | Valvular incompetence | Retrograde transmission of pressure and volume into the superficial venous system, increased venous hypertension producing further valvular incompetence |
| Histological | Elongation and dilation of capillary beds, increased capillary surface area, increased basement membrane type IV collagen, formation of pericapillary fibrin cuff, fragmentation and obliteration of cutaneous microlymphatics | Increased interstitial accumulation of vascular water, red blood cells, fibrin, tissue hypoxia, and formation of a subcutaneous panniculitis (lipodermatosclerosis) |
| Physiological | Loss of reflexive constriction of precapillary arterioles, erythrocyte and leukocyte aggregation | Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure, reduced oxygen transport, slowed arteriolar circulation, enlarged capillary spaces, leukocyte aggregation and activation, and formation of a subcutaneous panniculitis (lipodermatosclerosis) |
