VENOUS ULCERS

What are Venous Ulcers?

Venous Ulcers are a common type of skin ulcer. Generally, occurs just above the ankle on the legs. These ulcers come about as a result of venous insufficiency and increased pressure of blood in the veins due to the veins "incompetence" and inability to return the blood to the heart.

Symptoms

• Painful skin near a bony prominence.

Risk factor

• Age
• Obesity
• Previous leg injury
• DVT, and phlebitis

Causes

Venous incompetence, immobility, ineffective calf muscle to pump the blood upwards, venous insufficiency, phlebitis.

Diagnosis

Physical examination of the lower extremities. Duplex color Ultrasound, a ankle-brachial-index test, and even venography may be helpful if the diagnosis is unclear.

Treatment

• a. Compression therapy – use of compression stockings
• b. Leg elevation to minimize edema- elevate at least 3 times daily for a period of 30 minutes
• c. Frequent dressing changes, &clean sterile dressings to keep outside infection from the open ulcer wound.
• d. Antibiotics, Medication management
• e. Surgery to treat venous reflux and prevent recurrence of ulcerations. Surgical treatment for venous insufficiency include: Saphenous vein ablation, phlebectomy, sclerotherapy and ablating the perforator veins. Surgical treatment is meant to improve blood flow to the ulcer to provide healing.