Venous ulcer is a full-thickness defect of skin, most frequently in the ankle region, that fails to heal spontaneously and is sustained by chronic venous disease.. Most venous ulcers occur on the leg, above the ankle. Venous ulcers are more common than arterial ulcers, accounting for over 90% of all leg ulcers. variety of factors can raise your risk of venous ulcers. They include
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Varicose veins
- Obesity
- Old age
- Sedentery life style
Venous ulcers occur when the veins in your legs do not push blood back up to your heart as well as they should, causing blood to stagnate in the veins and building up pressure damaging the skin. Even a trivial injury can start an ulcer which fails to heal and becomes larger.
SYMPTOMS
- Small ulcer just above the ankle on the inner aspect
- Severe pain- burning type
- Pigmentation around the ulcer and at lower leg
- Itching
- Swelling of the leg
- Aware of varicose veins
- History of leg surgery or immobilisation (suggestive of DVT)
- Secondary infection, cellulitis and pus discharge
Examination
- Visible varicosities
- Pigmentation of the lower part of leg
- Edema
- Painful hardening of tissue at lower leg (Lipodermatosclerosis)
- Ulcer surrounded by eczema
Majority of the ulcers heal in 3-4 months time. The recurrence rate of venous ulcers has been reported as high as 70%. Venous intervention and long-term use of compression stockings are important for preventing recurrence, and leg elevation can be beneficial when used with compression stockings. Exercise should be encouraged to improve calf muscle pump function.
