Treatment of Venous Stasis Ulcers
At Vincent Vein Center, we collaborate with Primary Care Providers and Wound Care Centers to assist in the healing of venous stasis ulcers.
These ulcers can occur on the lower legs and ankles as a result of long-term Venous Insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is a chronic condition in which the veins in your legs have problems fighting gravity and pumping blood back up to the heart. This results in your lower veins filling with blood causing the cells to leak out of the veins into the skin and tissues which lead to itching and inflammation.
Best Treatment for Venous Stasis Ulcers
Endovenous Laser Treatment is often extremely effective in treating the enlarged veins underneath the ulcer, allowing for thorough and permanent healing of venous stasis ulcers. Endovenous laser treatment is when we use a flexible tube that has a laser that heats up the treated vein. Usually, the treatment itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
How to Recognize Venous Stasis Ulcers
Venous Stasis Ulcers otherwise known as Stasis dermatitis, are open wounds or sores that repeatedly return and do not heal. Some ulcers may not be painful, but the patient typically has a swollen leg with burning or itching. Other symptoms include aching, in the surrounding area it will be hot to the touch, or heaviness in the leg, the skin may be shiny and tight, borders of the ulcers may shape uneven, as well as, increased pain when standing.
You will be at risk of venous stasis ulcers if you have a history of venous hypertension, infections, smoking, sitting or standing for extended periods of time, obesity, diabetes, types of medications, poor circulation, a fracture of a bone around your leg, or venous insufficiency.
The ulcers are usually located in or around the medial or lateral malleoli (ankles). Venous ulcers are red in color and could be covered with yellow fibrous tissue. Green or yellow discharges may follow if the ulcer becomes infected.
If you feel that you may have venous stasis ulcers or would like to be examined, please schedule an appointment. Call us immediately if there is more drainage than before, odor, fever or chills, more pain than usual, or the drainage is yellowish/ cloudy in color.