Please note: This information was current at the time of publication. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education website.
Information from Your Family Doctor
Venous Leg Ulcers
Am Fam Physician. 2010 Apr 15;81(8):1003.
See related article on venous leg ulcers.
What is a venous leg ulcer?
It is a shallow wound that happens when the veins in your legs are unable to properly pump blood to your heart. This can cause blood to pool inside your legs.
Venous ulcers usually happen in older people. You are more likely to get them if you are a woman, are overweight, or have had a leg injury or blood clot.
How do I know if my wound is a venous ulcer?
Venous ulcers are usually located on the legs, especially on the ankles, and don't heal on their own. The skin around the wound may be discolored, dark, or red. You may also have a dull ache or pain and swelling in your lower legs.
How are they treated?
Venous ulcers are usually treated with bandages or stockings that put pressure on your legs. Some of these are worn all of the time and need to be replaced by a doctor every few days. Others are worn only during the day, and you can put them on and take them off yourself. Your doctor may recommend gels or foams to put under the bandage to help the wound heal.
Sitting or lying down with your leg raised for 30 minutes, three or four times a day, can keep the swelling down. Your doctor may give you medicine to help the blood flow through your legs better.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor
American Venous Forum
Society for Vascular Surgery
Web site: http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/index.html
This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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