Venous Ulcers
What is a Venous Skin Ulcer?
A skin ulcer is a type of wound that develops on the skin. A venous skin ulcer is a shallow wound that occurs when the leg veins don't return blood back toward the heart the way they should.
This is called venous insufficiency.
Duplex scanning allows us to see abnormal blood flow caused by venous insufficiency.
How can we help you?
Our doctors are professionally trained and experienced in managing venous skin ulcers. We will work with you to produce a treatment plan that suit your needs.
What is a Venous Leg Ulcer?
Venous ulcers are leg ulcers caused by issues with blood flow (circulation) in your leg veins. When you get a cut or scrape, your body's healing process starts working to close the wound. In time, the wound heals. But without the proper treatment, these ulcers may not heal, leading to further problems down the road.
What should you know about Venous Leg Ulcers?
What are Venous Leg Ulcers?
A venous leg ulcer is a wound/sore that takes longer than usual to heal, generally more than 2 weeks. They are usually located on the area above the ankle.
Our bodies own healing process works to close and heal any cuts and scrapes. However, ulcers may not heal without proper treatment.
What are the symptoms of Venous Leg Ulcers?
You may experience pain, itching and swelling in the affected leg. There is often hardened, discoloured skin around the sore. If the ulcer is infected it can produce a foul-smelling discharge and you may develop a fever.
What causes Venous Leg Ulcer?
Poor blood flow Is the main cause of leg ulcers. This may be a result of one of the following:
Obesity
Diabetes
Varicose veins
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Poor mobility
Age (more common in older people)
How can you prevent a Venous Leg Ulcer?
Lifestyle adjustments can help those at risk to prevent the development of a venous leg ulcer.
These include:
Diet
Regular exercise
Elevating your legs when possible
Compression stockings
Quitting smoking
Medication to treat underlying issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes
How are Venous Ulcers diagnosed?
Venous ulcers are usually diagnosed by detailed history taking and physical examination. A lower limb ultrasound and pressure check will be performed to determine the underlying cause of the non-healing wound.
What is the treatment?
Effective treatment by a trained health care professional can speed up wound healing.
Treatment usually involves:
Cleaning and dressing the wound.
Compression bandage/stockings to improves blood flow.
Surgery may be recommended in some cases to improve the blood flow.
Antibiotic for infected wounds.
How can we help you?
Our doctors are professionally trained and experienced in managing venous leg ulcers. We will work with you to produce a treatment plan that suit your needs.
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