 |
Leg Ulcers |
|
What are Leg Ulcers? |
| While a definitive cause is not known, leg ulcers are assumed to result from malfunctioning venous valves or venous insufficiency. These open leg wounds are an extremely common ailment affecting over half a million people a year. Common terms for leg ulcers vary depending on their cause. They are sometimes referred to as venous ulcers‚ arterial (or ischemic) ulcers or neurotrophic (or diabetic) ulcers. |
|
Leg Ulcers
before treatment |
Most leg ulcers are directly caused by the combination of a small trauma and underlying symptoms such as:
- Poor circulation
- Venous insufficiency
- Diabetes
- Renal (kidney) failure
- Hypertension
- Lymph edema (a buildup of fluid that causes swelling in the legs or feet)
- Infections
- Certain medications
|
|
|
Symptoms... |
| Leg ulcers related to venous insufficiency are most often an open wound on the inner aspect of the calf near the ankle. Leg ulcers may also be associated with scaly, thickened, discolored skin near the ankle. |
|
Treatment Options... |
After treatment at
SI Vein |
Treatment options for venous leg ulcers include:
|
|
Until recently‚ patients only had the option of painful and invasive surgical vein stripping to treat the venous insufficiency at the root of venous leg ulcers. But with the modern‚ minimally invasive techniques used at the Southern Illinois Vein Center—such as endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy—nonsurgical options are available.
Wearing graduated compression hose is an important component in the success of the overall treatment for vein disease including leg ulcers. For optimum results‚ they should be worn for the prescribed amount of time. |
|
Take Action. |
| Contact the Southern Illinois Vein Center to learn more about any of the conditions or treatments discussed on our website, sign up to attend one of our events or view our maps & directions for easy-to-follow instructions for driving to the center nearest you. |
|
| Back to top |
