What to Do About a Venous Leg Ulcer

Have you noticed an open wound on your leg, between your ankle and knee, that just isn’t healing? If so, you might be dealing with a venous leg ulcer. 

Leg ulcers are open leg wounds that don’t heal (or show signs of healing) within two weeks. There are many types of leg ulcers with different causes. One of the main ones is poor blood flow. When that happens, it’s referred to as a venous leg ulcer. 

If not addressed promptly, venous leg ulcers can put you at risk for serious health complications, including severe tissue damage, gangrene, or even the need for surgical limb removal.  

At Anodyne Pain and Wellness Solutions in Newark, Delaware, our team provides wound care for an expert diagnosis and treatment of slow-healing wounds. Here’s what you should know about a venous leg ulcer and when to seek treatment. 

What causes a venous leg ulcer?

Your veins contain valves that keep blood circulating through your body. They open and shut to create a force that moves the blood back to your heart. However, if the veins in your legs weaken or become damaged, the valves can’t push blood back to your heart, causing it to pool in your leg instead. 

As blood pressure builds, your skin swells and eventually breaks, causing the open wound. But because the vein is so weak and damaged, it leaks and can’t provide any healing qualities. 

Leg veins can be damaged and lead to venous leg ulcers due to:

• An injury
• Pregnancy, obesity, or significant weight gain
• A blood clot (deep vein thrombosis)
• A surgical procedure, such as a knee replacement
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Getting older can also put you at risk for venous leg ulcers since your veins weaken with age. 

Do you have a venous leg ulcer?

A venous leg ulcer is an open and often painful wound, and if you don’t seek professional treatment, it can become serious very quickly. For that reason, it’s important to be aware of warning signs of venous leg ulcers, such as:

• Swollen ankles
• Darkening or discoloration around the wound
• Hardened skin around the wound
• Aching, swelling, or a heavy feeling in your affected leg

Because of the large, open break in your skin, the ulcer can easily become infected. Signs of infection include increased pain, green discharge, and a high fever. 

Ready to see us for a venous leg ulcer?

If you’ve had an open sore that hasn’t started healing within two weeks, don’t delay in seeing us for expert wound care. We can examine the wound, determine if it’s a venous leg ulcer, and make an appropriate treatment plan. 

We specialize in tissue grafts that cover the wound and protect your body from infection. In addition, we offer pain management strategies to help reduce pain while you heal. 

To schedule a wound care appointment, simply call our office or use our online booking feature today.