Warning Signs Of Venous Insufficiency

Leg Ulcers

If venous insufficiency is left untreated, patients could develop leg ulcers, sometimes known as stasis ulcers or venous stasis ulcers. Leg ulcers are open wounds on the skin that take more than two weeks to heal. In patients with venous insufficiency, these ulcers are often found on the just above the ankle, usually on the inside of the leg. The skin around an ulcer may be discolored or hard, and a discharge of pus could develop if the ulcer becomes infected. To promote healing of leg ulcers, doctors clean and dress the ulcers, and compression bandages or socks are placed over the site to improve circulation to the area. Patients will also be asked to elevate their legs three or four times each day for up to thirty minutes at a time. If infection is present, antibiotics will be prescribed, and some ulcers may need to be treated with debridement, a process that removes damaged tissue from the affected area. Skin grafting and other surgical procedures might be appropriate for certain cases.

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