A venous ulcer or venous statis ulcer is a slow healing wound or sore that is usually found below the knee and above the ankle on the inner calf. These sores are caused by damage to the small valves inside the leg vein which causes blood to pool which injures skin tissue and restricts blood flow from the lower legs returning to the heart. Varicose veins and chronic vein insufficiency can also result in venous ulcers. These sores can sometimes take months to heal and, if they are not treated properly, complications can develop leading to limb amputation.
Symptoms
Venous ulcer symptoms include:
- Irregular shaped sores that at shallow with borders
- Swelling
- Some sores are painless while others are painful.
- Fluid or pus that oozes from the sore.
- Unpleasant odor
- Found on the inside of the leg around the ankle or shin.
- Lower leg wound or sore that does not heal in two weeks.
Risk factors
The risk factors for developing venous ulcers include:
- Family history of venous disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Limited physical activity
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Varicose and spider veins
Causes
Chronic vein insufficiency where the valves in the legs malfunction and allow blood to leak backward, causing blood to pool in the legs and putting increased pressure on the veins. Other causes include high blood pressure and vein obstruction that can be due to blot clots.
Prevention
There are various steps to take to prevent venous ulcers including:
- Follow a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, exercise regularly.
- Raise your legs if you have been standing for a prolonged period.
- Wear compression stockings.
- Take your prescribed medication for any chronic medical conditions.
Tests
Your physician may diagnose venous ulcers during a physical exam. Tests for this condition include:
Treatments
Venous ulcer treatments include:
- Compression stockings
- Lifestyle improvements, such as regular exercise, weight loss, and elevating the legs.
- Treatment for underlying conditions such as venous insufficiency or chronic venous disease.
- Vascular or endovascular surgery.
- Walking and physical therapy.
- Wound care
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Skin grafts
- Lymphedema therapy
- Growth factor therapy
- Stem cell therapy
Our providers
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Margaret Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Vanessa R. Banks-Gonzales, ACNP-BC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Suzanne M Benn, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Kristin Crawley, ACNP-BC, BSN, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Erin M. Hanlon, MPAS, PA
Vascular Surgery
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John Harvey, MBCHB, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Lucy B Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Wendy S. Lobo, AGACNP-BC, DNP, MBA, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Brittany Celina Montgomery, AGACNP-BC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Donna Yvonne Norris, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Lauren M. Storey, NP
Vascular Surgery
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Naren Gupta, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.