Leg Ulcers: Causes, Treatment & Symptoms

Leg ulcers are open wounds that can occur on the legs that occur due to a break in the skin that lets bacteria and air into the underlying tissue. This is typically brought on by a wound, frequently a little one that tears the skin.  Ulcers on the leg are known to be painful and they don’t heal quickly. The Department of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery at Aadicura Superspeciality Hospital In  Vadodara has vascular and endovascular surgeons who are leg ulcers specialists and are apt in diagnosing and treating the condition with utmost care.

The leg ulcers are most commonly caused by poor circulation, which can be due to a number of conditions, including diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and venous insufficiency. Treatment for leg ulcers typically includes keeping the wound clean and covered, and doing daily wound care. In some cases, special dressings or surgery may be needed. Equally important is the need to identify the cause of leg ulcers & treat the cause otherwise these ulcers are known to recur.

What are the causes of leg ulcers?

There are many possible causes of leg ulcers, including:

• Chronic venous insufficiency: When the valves in the veins which carry blood to the heart are dysfunctional, it leads to chronic venous insufficiency. This can cause blood to pool in the legs, which can lead to ulcers.
• Arterial insufficiency: This occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the legs are blocked or narrowed. This can cause ulcers because of the lack of blood flow to the area.
• Diabetes: If the cause of the ulcer is Diabetes, we at Aadicura Superspeciality Hospital have skilled diabetic specialists onboard who can provide an expert treatment solution taking into consideration your medical condition as diabetic patients are known to suffer from delayed wound healing and frequent ulcerations on their feet.
• Infection: This can be a cause of leg ulcers if the ulcer is caused by an infection such as cellulitis.
• Trauma: Injury to the leg can cause ulcers.
• Cancer: Cancer can sometimes cause ulcers.

Immune system disorders: Disorders such as vasculitis and psoriasis can sometimes cause leg ulcers.

What are leg ulcers caused by?

If you have a leg ulcer, it is important to consult a Leg Ulcer Specialists in Vadodara at Aadicura Superspeciality Hospital, so that the underlying cause can be determined and appropriate treatment can be started. Remember that more than 80% of ulcers are due to a vascular cause!

The type of ulcer which is most common is a venous ulcer. This occurs when the veins in your legs are unable to pump blood back to your heart properly. This can cause pooling of the blood in the legs causing breakdown of the skin, all leading to an ulcer. There are a number of things you can do to treat a leg ulcer, depending on the underlying cause. If your ulcer is caused by venous insufficiency, you may be prescribed compression stockings to help improve blood flow.

You may also be advised to elevate your legs when possible and to avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. If your ulcer is caused by an infection, you will likely be prescribed antibiotics. It is important to finish your entire course of antibiotics, even if your ulcer begins to heal. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat a leg ulcer. This is typically only necessary if the underlying cause is severe and other treatments have not been successful.

What are the symptoms of leg ulcers?

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a vascular surgeon in vadodara, who can evaluate the severity of the condition and provide the necessary guidance for further treatment.

Symptoms of a leg ulcer may include: –

• Pain in the leg, which may worsen when the ulcer is touched
• Swelling in the leg
• Redness or inflammation around the ulcer
• Drainage of pus or blood from the ulcer
• A feeling of heaviness or fatigue in the leg

Are leg ulcers serious?

Leg ulcers can be painful and make it difficult to walk. In some cases, they can also lead to more serious problems such as infection. Most commonly leg ulcers are caused by poor circulation. This can be due to a number of conditions, such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or venous insufficiency. Poor circulation means that the leg doesn’t get enough blood, which can make it difficult for wounds to heal.

There are a number of other factors that can increase your risk of developing a leg ulcer, such as:

• Having varicose veins
• Having a history of blood clots
• Smoking
• Having a family history of leg ulcers
• Being overweight
• Having an injury to the leg

What happens when a leg ulcer goes untreated?

A leg ulcer is a sore on the leg that does not heal within a few weeks. Leg ulcers are a common problem, affecting up to 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. They are more common in women and in people over the age of 60.

If a leg ulcer is left untreated, it can lead to a number of serious complications, including:

• Cellulitis – a bacterial infection of the skin that can cause the skin to swell and become red and painful
• Gangrene – a serious condition where the tissue in the leg dies due to a lack of blood supply
• Septic arthritis – a bacterial infection of the joints that can cause severe pain and disability
• Amputation – in severe cases, the leg may need to be amputated (removed) to prevent the spread of infection. If you have a leg ulcer, it is important to see your doctor so that it can be properly treated.

Do leg ulcers heal?

As every individual case has different severity there is no definitive answer to this question. However, many leg ulcers do heal with proper treatment and care under the expert treatment and care by a leg ulcer specialist.

How to treat a leg ulcer?

Treatment may involve a combination of self-care and medical interventions. Self-care measures for leg ulcers include:

• Keeping the leg clean and dry.
• Wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
• Exercising regularly.
• Taking over-the-counter pain medication.
• Elevating the leg when possible.
• Applying a compression bandage.

Medical interventions for leg ulcers may include:

• Prescription medications
• Ultrasound therapy
• Wound dressings & compression bandaging
• Compression stockings

Treatment of the cause includes

• Treatment of varicose veins by laser, sclerotherapy
• Treatment of arterial blockages by angioplasty or leg bypass
• Skin grafting to cover larger ulcers
• Use of advanced methods like NPWT (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) or HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy)

At Aadicura we have one of the best team of leg ulcer specialists in Vadodara who can diagnose the cause and recommend treatment. Aadicura is the only hospital in central and South Gujarat to have a large group of experienced, renowned & best Vascular Surgeons in Vadodara along with state of art equipment and modern modalities for treatment of various vascular conditions.