Venous Ulcer

If you have an open sore on your leg that just won’t go away, it might be a venous ulcer. Venous ulcers, also known as venous stasis ulcers or varicose ulcers, are wounds that occur when there’s poor circulation due to vein disease or venous insufficiency, typically in the legs. Other symptoms of vein disease include swelling in the legs or ankles, cramps in the thighs or calf, and unsightly veins.

Venous leg ulcers can be painful and debilitating. They may not heal on their own and require proper medical evaluation and treatment.

What Is a Venous Ulcer?

Venous ulcers are open, non-healing wounds that usually occur on the legs or ankles. They start when vein disease prevents blood from circulating properly and begins to pool in the lower extremities. This increases the pressure in the veins, potentially leading to inflammation and other changes that prevent normal healing in the area. Venous stasis ulcers are usually a sign of advanced vein disease, which accounts for up to 80 percent of all leg ulcers.¹

If left untreated, venous leg ulcers can become infected, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life.

Venous Ulcer Stages

Venous leg ulcers tend to develop over time. The four venous leg ulcer stages consist of the following:

• Stage 1 – The start of a venous ulcer often appears as red and inflamed skin. This stage usually goes undetected because venous ulcers resemble a bug bite, bruise, or mild irritation.
• Stage 2 – As the ulcer progresses, the inflamed skin may leak a small amount of fluid. This condition is more likely to be noticed at this stage, as the venous ulcer may look like a severe bruise, or the area may become reddened, dry, or cracked.
• Stage 3 – At this stage, the affected area of the skin begins to die. This is the foundation of the ulcer. Wounds will start to look inflamed and possibly deeper than before. Sometimes, venous ulcers may begin to heal and then reopen once again.
• Stage 4 – The open wound is visible and apparent. At this stage, it may not heal independently and must be kept extremely clean to avoid infection.

Whether a venous stasis ulcer heals or progresses depends on factors such as overall health, circulation, and lifestyle choices. 

Treatment for venous insufficiency, the root cause of these ulcers, can help improve blood flow, helping venous ulcers heal and prevent them from developing.

Venous Ulcer Symptoms

The beginning stages of venous ulcers are often ignored or misdiagnosed. However, as ulcers develop further, they develop into more recognizable venous ulcer symptoms. Since these venous leg wounds are a symptom of advanced vein disease, they are commonly experienced with venous issues. Common symptoms that accompany venous stasis ulcers include:

• Skin Discoloration: The skin around the ulcer may appear reddish-brown, purple, or discolored.
• Swelling: Edema or swelling of the affected leg, often around the ankle area.
• Pain: Venous ulcers can be painful, particularly when standing or walking.
• Itching or Burning Sensation: Patients may experience itching or a burning sensation around the ulcer.
• Slow Healing: Venous ulcers typically heal slowly, often persisting for weeks or months if left untreated.
• Foul Odor: In some cases, a foul odor may be associated with the ulcer due to infection or necrotic tissue.
• Weeping or Drainage: The ulcer may produce a clear, yellow, or greenish discharge.
• Other Skin Changes: The skin around the ulcer may feel thickened, hardened, or have a leathery appearance.
• Leg Fatigue or Heaviness: Patients may experience a sensation of heaviness or tiredness in the legs, especially after prolonged standing or sitting.

Venous Ulcer Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of venous ulcers are related to underlying vein disease, which develops from factors that limit circulation and stress the veins. The following factors increase a person’s chance of developing venous ulcers:

• Family history of vein disease
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Varicose veins
• Pregnancy
• History of blood clots

People at risk for venous insufficiency ulcers also have an increased risk for other complications of vein disease, including dangerous blood clots.

MORE QUESTIONS? TALK TO A VEIN SPECIALIST

Preventing and Managing Venous Ulcers

Maintaining healthy veins and good circulation is the best way to prevent venous ulcers. If you are worried about developing venous stasis ulcers, you should aim to maintain an active lifestyle and keep conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure under control, for example. A vein specialist can provide personalized help and monitoring to control your level of risk.

Mild cases of venous leg ulcers may improve with simple at-home remedies. These methods include:

• Make lifestyle changes to improve circulation
• Elevate your affected leg when sitting or lying down to improve blood flow
• Clean the wound as recommended by your doctor, at least twice a day
• Take antibiotics if the wound is infected

However, the root cause of venous ulcers, vein disease, cannot be reversed through home remedies, and ulcers may continue progressing or occur again after healing. Advanced venous ulcers are unlikely to respond to lifestyle modifications. Because of this, people with a history of venous ulcers or at risk of venous insufficiency ulcers should monitor their condition carefully and consult with a specialist. 

Regular examinations by a medical professional are recommended to detect early signs of venous ulcers, catch them at an earlier stage, and receive treatment if necessary.

Venous Ulcer Treatment

If these methods do not allow a venous stasis ulcer to heal, it is likely necessary to seek additional medical help. Treatment is important in this situation because venous ulcers can worsen over time, become infected, and eventually limit a person’s mobility.

Venous ulcer treatment focuses on treating the underlying vein disease. At USA Vein Clinics, our non-surgical treatment techniques aim to reroute blood flow from malfunctioning veins to healthy ones. Ultrasound imaging can be used to find places where blood isn’t flowing correctly. We can then perform one of several different minimally invasive procedures to stop blood from getting backed up in damaged veins. Since venous leg ulcers result from insufficient blood flow, venous ulcers should then be able to heal on their own and will be less likely to return. 

Schedule Treatment Today

If you want a lasting solution for vein disease or venous stasis ulcers, look no further than USA Vein Clinics. We provide effective, minimally invasive treatment for vein disease that helps alleviate venous ulcer symptoms. 

If you’re ready to start your vein treatment, call us at 888.768.3467 or schedule an initial consultation online using the link below. 

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION NOW

Sources

1. Biju Vasudevan, “Venous leg ulcers: Pathophysiology and classification,” Indian Dermatology Online Journal, https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.137819