Venous Ulcer & Wound Care
Treatment of chronic leg wounds caused by underlying vein disease
What is it?
A venous ulcer is an open wound on the lower leg most commonly around the ankle that develops as a result of long-standing venous disease. When veins fail to return blood efficiently, pressure builds up in the lower leg over time. This damages the skin and the tissue beneath it, eventually leading to a wound that cannot heal on its own.
Venous ulcers are among the most common chronic wounds in adults over the age of 60. They can persist for months or years if the underlying vein problem is not addressed. Dressing the wound alone without treating the cause provides only temporary relief.
Treatment of a venous ulcer requires two things: addressing the wound surface, and treating the faulty vein that is causing the pressure.
Who is this for ?
An open wound on the lower leg or ankle that has been present for more than two weeks
A wound that has healed and recurred in the same location
Skin discolouration, hardening, or itching around the lower leg which may indicate pre-ulcer changes
Patients with a known history of varicose veins or venous insufficiency
Skin discolouration or hardening around the ankle
A previous venous ulcer or wound that has healed
What happens During the Treatment ?
Treatment begins with a Doppler ultrasound scan to map the faulty veins and identify exactly where the valve failure is occurring. This guides the treatment plan.
Every patient presenting with a venous ulcer receives a full vascular assessment including a Doppler scan to identify the faulty vein responsible for the elevated pressure.
The underlying venous disease is treated first, where appropriate. This reduces the pressure that is preventing healing.
Wound management includes appropriate dressing selection, compression therapy (where blood flow assessment confirms it is safe), and regular follow-up to monitor progress.
Once the vein problem is addressed and the wound environment is optimised, healing proceeds significantly faster than with wound care alone.
Root-cause treatment
Compression therapy
Doppler-guided care
Regular follow-up
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
A wound that has been present for more than two to three weeks without improvement should be assessed by a vascular specialist not just a general wound care clinic. The distinction matters for both healing time and the risk of complications