Objective: To employ standardized techniques to measure and characterize the pain associated with leg ulcers of defined causes. Methods: Patients attending leg ulcer clinics were interviewed by one research nurse using a structured questionnaire. Ulcers were classified as venous, arterial or mixed depending on the clinical assessment and ankle-brachial systolic pressure index. Pain was assessed objectively using two validated instruments for scoring pain: a verbal rating scale and a painintensity visual analogue scale. The significance of the observations was tested using either the Mann-Whitney V-test (unpaired observations) or the Wilcoxon signedrank test (paired observations). A profile of the quality of pain was obtained using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Quality of life was assessed using the COOP Chart System. Patients: We assessed 38 patients with venous ulcers, three patients with mixed arterial/venous ulceration and 10 patients with arterial disease. Main outcome measures: Pain scores on verbal rating scales and visual analogue scales. Results: Venous leg ulcers are painful. Although pain scores are greater in arterial ulcers, most patients with venous ulceration suffer at least moderate pain. Night pain disturbed sleep in 73% of all patients and pain affected mood in more than 50%. Dressing changes exacerbated pain. Correspondence and offprint requests to: Dr S. M. Burge, Department of Dermatology, The Churchill, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK. Conclusions:Pain reduces the quality of life in most patients with leg ulcers. Pain control is an essential consideration in all patients with leg ulcers.