Venous Leg Ulcers
If you get a wound or injury that is slow to heal, you might be experiencing a venous disorder.
Venous leg ulcers, also known as stasis ulcers, are long-lasting (chronic) wounds that take longer than 2 weeks to heal. These unhealed wounds are often found on the lower legs and ankles. Many venous leg ulcers are found in older people, especially women. They can be painful and can become infected. Up to 1.8 million Americans have venous leg ulcers, which require specialized treatments from vein specialists.
What are Venous Ulcers?
A leg ulcer is characterized by a break in the skin leg, which allows air and bacteria to enter underlying tissue. Venous ulcers are most often found in the legs, particularly the inner ankle area. The effects of gravity on veins cause pressure on the vein wall and result in chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation affects the skin and underlying tissues in the foot, ankles, and lower legs. Over time, the tissue breaks down, causing a small wound to open up. Without proper treatment, the wound can increase in size.
Symptoms of Venous Ulcers
Some commonly reported symptoms that develop before or along with open wounds:
Leg swelling
Tenderness
Leg Itching & Burning
Leg aching and heaviness
Skin discoloration
Eczema
Causes of Venous Ulcers
80% of leg ulcers are caused by venous disease (chronic venous insufficiency). Our veins have one-way valves that enable blood flow from the foot/legs back to the heart and lungs.
If you are experiencing venous insufficiency, these valves are weakened and damaged by deep vein thrombosis (DVT). As a result, blood keeps flowing down to your legs and exerts extra pressure in the veins when standing up. The abnormally high pressure in the veins damages skin and leads to open wounds.
You have more risks of developing leg ulcers if you are:
Overweight. Obesity reduces circulation and causes numbness in the feet, which prevents one from acknowledging your injury. Poor circulation also slows the healing process of the wound, and thus causes the development of venous ulcers.
Advanced in Age
Injured
Family medical history of vein problems
Sedentary
Smoking
Abnormal veins
Treatments for Leg Ulcers
Most venous leg ulcers can heal within 3 to 4 months if they're treated by a board-certified vein specialist.
Leg ulcers are caused by a weakened venous system, which is accompanied by varicose veins and spider veins. Thus, treatment of these varicose veins can help venous leg ulcers. If you are experiencing wounds that do not heal, particularly on your legs or ankles, call Physicians Vein Clinics at (888)-782-8346 for a free vein screening.
Our Vein Centers have 12 convenient vein locations that provide the most advanced and affordable treatment for leg ulcers. We offer a free vein screening for patients who experience symptoms of vein disease, which determines if they need to consult with a provider. If your screening tests show as positive, and they must meet with a provider, then insurance is billed for that visit.
