In a prospective study 105 consecutive patients with leg ulcers were recruited (causes: 77% venous, 4% arterial, 9.5% mixed, 9.5% other). 70 (67%) had a history of previous ulceration. 83 patients could be followed for 1 year. The healing rate for the whole group was 41 (49%) after 3 months and 61 (73%) after 1 year. The corresponding figures for the 67 venous patients are 44 (66%) and 52 (78%) respectively. From 61 healed ulcers 18 (30%) reoccurred during the 1st year. At the primary examination several factors were investigated which might have influenced the healing rate. Age, ulcer-size, the duration of the ulcer, lateral localization, absence of foot-pulses and lymphoedematous skin changes on the forefoot could be shown to have negative influence on healing.