Venous Ulcers & Wound Care Specialist

What are venous ulcers?

Venous ulcers are a potential complication of venous disease. Venous leg ulcerations are irritating and painful chronic sores that ooze fluid and typically develop below the calf on the sides of your lower leg, around your ankle bone, or on your foot.

The first indication you have a venous ulcer developing might be a dark, reddish-brown, or purple skin discoloration. The skin itself is likely to feel dry and firm. You might also have chronic swelling in your ankle area, and your legs may feel tired and achy.

When left untreated, these symptoms can lead to venous ulcers. However, with expert care from the specialists at Vascular Vein Centers, you can prevent the skin from breaking or an ulcer developing.

What causes venous ulcers?

Venous ulcers are a consequence of chronic venous insufficiency — a condition where the valves in your leg veins weaken or develop a fault. 

These valves keep blood flowing back to your heart, so if they aren’t working, blood starts to pool in your lower legs. This pooling causes problems like varicose veins, skin changes, and lymphedema.

Over time, red blood cells and fluid leak out of your veins into the surrounding tissues. This progressively damages your skin, making it darker, thicker, and drier. Any trauma to your skin that breaks it open can cause an open wound known as a venous ulcer.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a problem often brought on by lifestyle factors like being overweight or obese, smoking, and a shortage of exercise. It's more common in women and more likely to affect you as you get older.

How does wound care help treat venous ulcers?

Wound care is a highly specialized undertaking, as venous ulcers are typically challenging to manage and slow to heal. The team at Vascular Vein Centers has considerable expertise in wound care and uses a range of treatments to improve your wound and prevent infection.

Conservative wound care involves using compression bandages or stockings. The pressure supports your veins, improving blood circulation, and helping your body to activate its natural healing mechanisms.

The team at Vascular Vein Centers advises you on how to help with the healing process by raising your leg at certain times during the day and keeping your legs moving. There are also specialist dressings available for venous ulcers to encourage healing and keep the wound clean.

How are the underlying causes of venous ulcers treated?

Treating the underlying cause of your venous ulcer is also vital to healing and preventing further ulcers. The team at Vascular Vein Centers uses the most advanced forms of treatment to improve vein health and circulation. These include:

• Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)
• Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
• Varithena® foam sclerotherapy

It can take several months and sometimes longer for venous ulcers to heal. If they become infected, it can lead to even more severe complications and possibly loss of the limb.

Don't let skin changes and varicose veins develop into leg ulcers. Call the wound care experts at Vascular Vein Centers or book an appointment online today.