VENOUS LEG ULCER

TYPES

Other common types of leg ulcer include:

• Arterial leg ulcers
• Diabetic leg ulcers
• Malignant leg ulcers
• Traumatic leg ulcers
• Vasculitic leg ulcers

Ulcers in the foot are usually caused by diabetes.

SYMPTOMS

Itching, pain, and swelling in the affected leg are characteristic symptoms of a venous leg ulcer.

Discoloration, hardening of the skin around the ulcer, and presence of a foul-smelling discharge may also be present when you have a venous leg ulcer.

If you have a venous leg ulcer, you may exhibit the following conditions:

• discoloration and darkening of the skin around the ulcer
• swollen ankles
• red, flaky, scaly and itchy skin on your legs
• swollen and enlarged veins on your legs
• hardened skin around the ulcer, which may make your leg feel hard
• a heavy feeling in your legs
• an unpleasant and foul-smelling discharge from the ulcer
• aching or swelling in your legs

Signs of an infection

Opportunistic pathogens could cause secondary bacterial infections due to the ulcer. 

Symptoms of an infected leg ulcer may include:

• a green or unpleasant discharge coming from the ulcer
• fever
• redness and swelling of the skin around the ulcer
• worsening pain
• an unpleasant smell coming from the ulcer

TYPES

Other common types of leg ulcer include:

• Arterial leg ulcers
• Diabetic leg ulcers
• Malignant leg ulcers
• Traumatic leg ulcers
• Vasculitic leg ulcers

Ulcers in the foot are usually caused by diabetes.

SYMPTOMS

Itching, pain, and swelling in the affected leg are characteristic symptoms of a venous leg ulcer.

Discoloration, hardening of the skin around the ulcer, and presence of a foul-smelling discharge may also be present when you have a venous leg ulcer.

If you have a venous leg ulcer, you may exhibit the following conditions:

• discoloration and darkening of the skin around the ulcer
• swollen ankles
• red, flaky, scaly and itchy skin on your legs
• swollen and enlarged veins on your legs
• hardened skin around the ulcer, which may make your leg feel hard
• a heavy feeling in your legs
• an unpleasant and foul-smelling discharge from the ulcer
• aching or swelling in your legs

Signs of an infection

Opportunistic pathogens could cause secondary bacterial infections due to the ulcer. 

Symptoms of an infected leg ulcer may include:

• a green or unpleasant discharge coming from the ulcer
• fever
• redness and swelling of the skin around the ulcer
• worsening pain
• an unpleasant smell coming from the ulcer

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is based on physical examination of the affected leg and by knowing your medical history.

Your doctor and nurse will try to ask if you have the associated symptoms of venous leg ulcers. They will ask whether you have the following:

• discoloredor hard skin
• swelling in your ankles

They will try to determine if you have underlying conditions that may have possibly caused the ulcer. These include:

• deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• diabetes
• a previous leg ulcer
• injury or surgery in the affected leg

They will ask you to stand up and lie down, and at the same examine your leg.

When you’re standing varicose veins will be more evident. However, when you are lying down, the ulcer will be more visible.

They will also check the pulse at your ankles to make sure that there is still blood flow in the affected leg.

TREATMENT

Most venous ulcers resolve within a period of three to four months if immediately treated by a doctor who has been trained in compression therapy for leg ulcers.

In some cases, they may have a longer healing period, and rare cases never heal at all.

Treatment usually centers on the following methods:

• using compression, such as bandages or stockings, to improve the flow of blood in the legs, and;
• cleaning and dressing the wound

Antibiotics may be prescribed when the ulcer gets a bacterial infection, however, they do not facilitate the healing of the ulcer.

There may be a chance that the ulcer will recur if the underlying cause is not addressed.