Leg Ulcer Venous

Causes of venous leg ulcers

Source: NHS

In this topic (6)

A venous leg ulcer can develop after a minor injury if there's a problem with the circulation of blood in your leg veins. If this happens, pressure inside the veins increases.

This constant high pressure can gradually damage the tiny blood vessels in your skin and make it fragile. As a result, your skin can easily break and form an ulcer after a knock or scratch.

Unless you have treatment to improve the circulation in your legs, the ulcermay notheal.

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Who's most at risk?

Anumber of factors can increase your risk of developing a venous leg ulcer, including:

  • Obesity or being overweight this increases the pressure in the leg veins
  • if you have difficulty walking this can weaken the calf muscles, which can affect circulation in the leg veins
  • previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clots that develop in the leg can damage valves inthe veins
  • varicose veins swollen and enlarged veins caused by malfunctioning valves
  • previous injury to the leg, such as a broken or fractured bone, which may cause DVT or impair walking
  • previous surgery to the leg, such as a hip replacement or knee replacement , which can prevent you from moving about
  • increasing age people find it harder to move around as they get older, particularly if they suffer from arthritis

Articles for Leg Ulcer Venous

Causes of venous leg ulcers

A venous leg ulcer can develop after a minor injury if there is a problem with the circulation of blood in your leg veins. If this happens, the pressure inside the veins increases.

Diagnosing a venous leg ulcer

You should see your GP if you think you may have a venous leg ulcer as the condition is unlikely to improve without specialist treatment.

Introduction

A leg ulcer is a long-lasting (chronic) sore on your leg or foot that takes more than four to six weeks to heal.

Preventing a venous leg ulcer

You can help reduce your risk of developing a venous leg ulcer in several ways, such as wearing a compression stocking, losing weight and taking care of your skin.

Symptoms of a venous leg ulcer

Venous leg ulcers are open, often painful, sores in the skin that take more than four to six weeks to heal. They most often develop on the inside of the leg.

Treating a venous leg ulcer

With appropriate treatment, most venous leg ulcers will heal within three to four months.