Caution: This blog contains graphic medical images.
Let’s say—hypothetically—that you’ve been dealing with uncomfortable varicose veins for the last few years, but you had brushed off treatment. A couple of months ago, your varicose veins have been making your legs so itchy, you scratched them until you broke the skin, leaving a sore on your leg. This morning, you noticed that the sore on your leg hasn’t healed yet.
Your open sore may be a complication of varicose veins called a venous leg ulcer, which can lead to an infection if left untreated. Not all leg ulcers look the same and are caused by varicose veins. Understanding the difference between each type can help you determine which specialist to see for treatment.
Let’s review what leg ulcers look like and the conditions that cause them. If you are dealing with non-healing leg wounds, it’s important to seek treatment. At USA Vein Clinics, our vein specialists can diagnose leg ulcers caused by varicose veins and develop a personalized treatment plan.
What Are Leg Ulcers?
Leg ulcers are a condition where open wounds take longer than two weeks to heal. Most leg ulcers are painful and can be a sign of poor circulation. The severity of the pain, as well as the location, appearance, and other characteristics of the ulcer, depend on what causes the leg ulcer in the first place.
Causes of Leg Ulcers (with Pictures)
Venous Leg Ulcers
Venous ulcers are open sores that develop on the leg typically between the knee and ankle are caused by vein disease, (also known as chronic venous insufficiency). This condition also causes varicose veins and spider veins, which impairs proper blood circulation in the legs. In addition to visible veins, vein disease can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, and fatigue in the legs.
Venous ulcers often appear as shallow, asymmetrical or irregularly shaped sores. The skin may turn red or discolored around the affected area at first, similar to a rash or a bruise. As the ulcer continues to form, fluid may leak from the ulcer, causing the skin to appear wet or weeping.
It’s important to note that the wounds may take two months to heal or not at all and they may become infected. However, if white patches form on the leg, it means the tissues in the affected area are starting to die (necrosis), which is not typical of venous ulcers. The wounds will continue to open if they’re not treated promptly. See a vein specialist if you notice an ulcer like this. USA Vein Clinics offers various, minimally invasive vein treatments that can reduce pain and swelling and promote ulcer healing.
Arterial Ulcers
Arterial ulcers, or ischemic ulcers, are caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a condition where the arteries harden and narrow due to a buildup of plaque. This impacts circulation, causing many symptoms of PAD such as pain, discoloration, weakness, numbness, or hair loss in the legs. Additionally, the legs may appear shiny or feel cold. PAD can also affect mobility.
Arterial ulcers usually appear in the feet and toes. Unlike venous leg ulcers, arterial ulcers look symmetrical, as if someone hole-punched your foot. These ulcers may look red, yellow, or black. If the inside of the ulcer is black, it could mean the affected area is infected with gangrene.
If you are experiencing arterial ulcers, visit a vascular specialist as soon as possible. USA Vascular Centers offers minimally invasive treatments for PAD to delay the disease’s progression and prevent PAD complications such as amputation.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Patients with diabetes also have issues with blood circulation because high blood sugar levels can damage the veins and arteries. This places diabetic patients at a greater risk for conditions such as vein disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Diabetic foot ulcers can appear in the soles of the feet, but they may not cause pain like venous ulcers and arterial ulcers do. That’s because neuropathy, a symptom of diabetes, causes numbness in the legs and feet. They can also appear in the pressure points of the feet and look “punched out” like arterial ulcers.
If you are diabetic and have additional risk factors for vein disease, a vein screening can help provide tips on preventing or managing vein disease.
If you are diabetic and have other risk factors for PAD, it’s important to get a vascular screening to ensure you stay on top of your health.
Additional Causes of Ulcers
In addition to the three main types of leg ulcers, other types of leg ulcers include:
- Vasculitic leg ulcers—Often difficult to diagnose, this type is caused by inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and lupus. They can look like venous ulcers but are much deeper.
- Pressure ulcers—this type is caused by prolonged pressure or friction. Bedsores are a common form of pressure ulcers.
- Malignant ulcers—also known as fungating wounds, malignant ulcers are caused by cancer.
Treatment for Leg Ulcers
Doctors stress that keeping the wound clean and bandaged can help prevent infection before treatment. Early medical intervention for the causes of leg ulcers, such as vein disease or peripheral artery disease, can reduce the risk of infection and promote healing.
USA Vein Clinics treats patients with venous leg ulcers. One patient dealt with venous ulcers for 27 years, causing her a lot of pain. She received multiple vein treatments, where the vein specialist used state-of-the-art interventional radiology techniques to target problem veins. These treatments have closed off the diseased veins so that blood flow can reroute to healthier veins and aid the healing process.
Benefits of Treatments for Venous and Arterial Leg Ulcers
Besides reducing your risk of infection, receiving treatment for your leg ulcer through minimally invasive procedures can benefit patients in a few ways:
- Shorter procedures with a quick recovery time compared to surgery
- No stitches, which translates to minimal scarring
- Reduced chances of complications
- Decreased pain during and after the procedure
- Boost in confidence
USA Vein Clinics and USA Vascular Centers are a network of outpatient healthcare providers who specialize in minimally invasive treatments for vein disease and peripheral artery disease. Patients who schedule an appointment with either provider can verify their insurance instantly by calling or using their online scheduling tool.
If you are curious about treatments for venous ulcers, varicose veins, and spider veins, contact USA Vein Clinics at 888.768.3467 or schedule an appointment online.
Questions about treatments for arterial ulcers and peripheral artery disease, call USA Vascular Centers at 888.773.2193 or schedule an appointment online.