Venous ulcers
Venous ulcers are slow healing wounds usually found on the ankle or lower leg. Venous ulcers are caused by poor circulation in the veins (venous insufficiency) and lymphatics. They are often irregular in shape and they can be painful and ooze. These ulcers are one of the symptoms of venous disease. In addition to these open wounds, venous disease can cause:
- Leg pain, or the leg feeling tired or heavy, especially at the end of the day
- Swollen veins
- Spider veins – small leg veins that are swollen
- Varicose veins – larger leg veins that are swollen and twisted
- Leg swelling – in the lower legs or ankles at the end of the day or all the time
- Skin color and texture changes – the skin can turn red or brown, known as “stasis dermatitis”
Managing venous insufficiency
There are multiple ways for patients with venous insufficiency to prevent further development of leg ulcers. Some changes that can be made include:
- Wearing compression garments: stockings or Velcro compression devices
- Elevating legs when not walking or exercising
- Treating and eradicating varicose veins and venous blockages
- Moisturizing dry and discolored skin
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Following a healthy diet
- Maintaining or losing excess weight
- Quitting smoking, if you do
- Effectively controlling diabetes and thyroid disorders, if you have one
How does the Wound Treatment Center treat venous ulcers?
Some treatment options our physicians will provide are:
- Evaluation of circulation with doppler or venography (X-ray) imaging
- Use of medicated compression dressings to treat the wound
- Strict leg elevation
- Removal of devitalized and unhealthy tissue from wound (debridement)
- Use of antibiotics to treat infection
- Application of skin substitutes and matric replacements to promote healing