Venous leg ulcers are open sores caused by issues with blood flow in your leg veins. They most commonly develop near the ankle.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a venous leg ulcer include:
- A wound that heals very slowly, has uneven borders, or is draining pus
- Itchy skin on your leg
- Red, purple, or brown skin discoloration
- Leg swelling
- Leg pain cramping
- Warm or hot skin around the wound
Treatment
To treat your leg ulcer and help it heal, your doctor will remove tissue around the wound. If you have an underlying health issue leading to the ulcer, treatment will focus on that issue.
You may also have to care for your wound at home, which can include cleaning and dressing it regularly, as well as wearing compression stockings. You may also need to take antibiotics or use an antibiotic ointment.
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your risk of developing a venous leg ulcer include:
- History of deep vein thrombosis
- Varicose veins
- Age (being older)
- Being female
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Family history of blood flow issues
- Inactivity
Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition
department
Vascular Medicine Center
BMC’s multidisciplinary Vascular Medicine Center offers comprehensive care—including minimally invasive techniques—from one of the most advanced multidisciplinary teams of special…
department
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
The Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery provides state-of-the-art care for patients with vascular disease, offering medical therapies, minimally invasive techniques, and…