Venous Skin Ulcers / Leg Ulcers
What Causes Venous Skin Ulcers?
Many patients do not immediately connect leg ulcerations with a vein disorder—instead thinking it is strictly a problem of the skin. However, these painful, open sores, often located on or above the ankles, are a sign that blood in the veins is not being circulated back to the heart properly. As blood backs up in the veins this causes fluid to build up in the skin and soft tissues. This leads to increased pressure that causes breaks in the skin and prevents oxygen from getting to the tissues. Cell death occurs, ultimately damaging the skin and allowing sores to form and grow. These wounds can become infected if not dealt with properly and can be very slow to heal.
How are Venous Skin Ulcers Treated?
Your doctor will determine which veins are causing the ulcerations with an ultrasound exam. Once the problem veins have been identified, your doctor will come up with a personalized treatment plan using modern treatment methods to eliminate the diseased veins. This may include endovenous laser ablation techniques and/or ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy techniques. The ulcers may take a month or two to heal, depending on the size and depth of the wounds. Your doctor may advise you to wear compression stockings to promote healing until the wounds are completely healed.
Schedule a Consultation
Related News
How Deep Vein Thrombosis Can Lead to Vein Issues
Thrombosis is simply the formation of a blood clot. A blood clot, medically known as a thrombus, prohibits blood from circulating properly because it partially or completely blocks the flow of ...
Read moreSigns you may have venous disease
One in three Americans over the age of 45 are affected by vein disease. Because veins have thinner walls than arteries, they are prone to damage. Those damaged vein walls impede circulation and cause ...
Read more(Video) Lipoma Removal by Dr. Gardner
A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that’s most often found between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. They usually feel doughy and aren’t often tender. They move easily with ...
Read more3 Benefits of Endovenous Ablation Laser Treatment
Endovenous Ablation of varicose veins simply involves using a small laser-guided by ultrasound imaging through a tiny needle stick to cause heat energy to collapse diseased veins. Once the ...
Read moreSubscribe to our mailing list today for the latest news and info on vein health from Dr. Gardner.
Comments are closed.