Venous ulcers (also known as venous stasis ulcers) are open sores that appear on the skin, usually around the ankle area. These sores are signs of more advanced problems in the veins and are usually treatable. Most often they are caused by venous insufficiency, or poor blood flow from the lower leg back up to the heart.
Skin changes of venous insufficiency may first be seen as the appearance of brown, dark red or purple patches on the lower legs that may itch or flake. Skin discoloration may be accompanied by leg swelling. The skin may feel hard and may be tender. If this progresses far enough, open sores, known as ulcers, may form. Ulcers can be painful, are quite unsightly, and increases the risk of serious infection.
There are a number of factors that can increase a patient’s risk for developing venous ulcers, including:
Treatment of a venous ulcer may involve a number of steps, including:
At Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center, we understand the challenges faced by patients with venous stasis ulcers. We offer a variety of treatment options to address the underlying problem, including EVLT, RFA, Clarivein, and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. With proper treatment, venous stasis ulcers can be cured and recurrence prevented.