What Are Venous Ulcers?
An ulcer is an open skin sore. It can develop in any area of the skin. Venous ulcers are leg ulcers that are caused by problems with circulation in your leg veins. They are mostly formed around the ankles.
When there is damage caused to the valves within the leg veins, these valves cannot maintain regular blood pressure inside the veins and this causes venous ulcers to grow. These ulcers can take weeks, or months, to heal. They can deteriorate very quickly, and put you at a risk of further complications.
These are the causes of venous ulcers in the legs:
- Varicose veins.
Varicose veins are large, bulging veins in the legs. They are a consequence of damaged valves in the leg veins not working well.
- Chronic venous insufficiency:
Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which your leg veins cannot pump blood up to your heart. The blood pools in your calves, causing swelling in your legs.
Treatments for Venous Ulcers:
The longer venous ulcers remain with you, the greater the likelihood of you getting permanent tissue damage. The damage can then cause infections that can become life- or limb-threatening.
Venous ulcers that are mild can get the following treatments:
- Antibiotics if you have an infection.
- Compression bandages to improve your blood circulation.
- Ointments that keep you safe from germs.
- Pain relievers to calm your nerves.
- Procedures that can remove debris.
- Special bandages and dressings that cover the ulcer.
- Daily cleaning of the wound to remove any bacteria and remove dead tissue.
Venous ulcers that are severe and do not respond to standard therapies may require further treatments such as:
- Growth factor therapy:
Injecting substances that can attract healthy cells to your ulcers.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy:
Sitting in a special, pressurized chamber and inhaling pure oxygen.
- Lymphedema therapy:
This includes a massage, skincare and bandaging techniques that remove fluid buildup.
- Skin graft:
This is the replacement of diseased skin with healthy skin from a different part of your body.
- Stem cell therapy:
This involves injections of bone marrow for the sake of generating healthy tissue.
Venous Ulcer Treatment in Chennai:
The Laser Vein Clinic has treated many cases of venous ulcers successfully throughout the years. We have the best vascular doctors in Chennai, so if you have venous ulcers that need treatment, come to us.