Venous leg ulcers are chronic wounds that typically occur on the lower extremities as a result of underlying venous insufficiency. These ulcers may be painful, recurrent, and slow to heal without targeted therapy.
​
At Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Specialists, we provide structured evaluation and management of venous leg ulcers, with a focus on controlling edema, promoting wound healing, and reducing the risk of recurrence.
​​
Causes and Contributing Factors
​
Venous leg ulcers develop when damaged or inefficient venous valves as a result of increased pressure in the veins of the lower leg. Over time, this venous hypertension contributes to:
-
Edema and inflammation
-
Skin changes (hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis)
-
Fragile tissue prone to breakdown & difficult to heal
​
Risk factors include prior deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, obesity, immobility, an occupation involving long periods on your feet and a history of leg injury or previous surgery.
​
​
Clinical Assessment
​
Evaluation of venous leg ulcers in our clinic typically includes:
-
Detailed wound examination (size, depth, exudate, location, tissue type)
-
Assessment of peripheral pulses and screening for arterial disease
-
Review of prior imaging or vascular studies when available
-
Assessment of edema, skin changes, and history of ulcer recurrence
​
If there is concern for significant arterial disease, further vascular evaluation is obtained before initiating full
Treatment Approach
​
Management of venous leg ulcers at our center generally consists of:
-
Compression therapy
-
Multilayer compression wraps, compression stockings, or other appropriate systems to reduce edema and improve venous return
-
-
Local wound care
-
Debridement of non-viable tissue when indicated
-
Moisture-balancing dressings tailored to drainage levels
-
Infection control strategies where appropriate
-
-
Edema and skin management
-
Elevation, exercise guidance, and skin care to support long-term venous health
-
-
Adjunctive therapies
-
Consideration of advanced wound care products, negative pressure wound therapy, or other modalities in selected patients
-
​
We coordinate with vascular specialists when minimally invasive procedures or additional interventions may be beneficial.
Preventing Recurrence
​
Because venous leg ulcers have a high recurrence rate, long-term prevention is an important component of care. This may involve:
-
Continued use of compression garments after healing
-
Ongoing skin care and moisturization
-
Weight management and activity recommendations
-
Education on early signs of recurrence and when to seek evaluation
​
Our team supports patients and families in implementing a sustainable prevention plan tailored to their abilities and medical conditions.