Warning Signs of Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers are slow-healing wounds in the lower extremities that affect up to 3% of Americans, putting them at risk for permanent tissue damage and limb loss. 

At Adler Foot and Ankle in North Miami Beach and Hallandale, Florida, Charlton Adler, DPM, and Laura Adler, DPM, specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of venous ulcers to help at-risk patients avoid amputation.

Our skilled team creates personalized wound care plans to address venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and other types of non-healing or slow-healing wounds. We also provide educational resources to help you recognize potentially serious wounds in the earliest stage — so you can get the care you need right away.

Why venous ulcers develop

A venous ulcer is an open wound that develops in the lower leg due to insufficient regional blood flow. The poor lower extremity circulation that leads to sore formation is often a result of vein valve damage or dysfunction, which allows blood to pool or flow backwards in the vein. 

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common vein disease that leads to valve dysfunction and slowed circulation. Venous ulcers form when blood doesn’t move from your legs back to your heart efficiently. When blood pools inside the veins, the resulting pressure can damage overlying skin tissues and cause an open surface wound.

Your risk for developing a venous ulcer increases as you get older. You might also be more likely to have a venous ulcer due to:

• Obesity
• Smoking history
• Varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Family history of venous disease

Not getting enough physical activity, or habitually standing or sitting for long periods, can also increase your risk of developing venous ulcers.

Early warning signs of a venous ulcer

Venous ulcers frequently start out as an irregularly shaped discoloration on the skin surface, which is often mistaken for a bruise. As blood continues to pool in the vein, your skin can redden or appear purple. You may also notice that skin in the area is shiny, feels tight, and is warmer than other parts of your body.

Physical sensations of a venous ulcer include achiness and heaviness in the calf. You might also experience symptoms like:

• Itching
• Swelling
• Tingling
• Cramping

If left untreated, venous ulcers can grow larger and leak fluids that produce a foul odor. The open wound also puts you at risk for a life-threatening infection that requires immediate medical care.

Understanding your treatment options for venous ulcers

It’s imperative that you seek medical attention for a venous ulcer as soon as you become aware of it. These wounds won’t heal on their own, and may cause severe infections that can spread throughout your body.

Early venous ulcer treatment offers the best outcome and can protect against permanent tissue damage. Our providers design a wound care plan that might include:

• Antibiotics
• Pain relievers
• Topical medications
• Wound cleaning and dead tissue removal (debridement)

In serious cases, you may need amputation surgery to remove the diseased part of your leg. Our limb salvage strategies focus on saving your limb and restoring blood flow to your lower extremities.

Even if you don’t need surgery, we work with you to improve the overall circulation in your legs to prevent the formation of new ulcers. We might recommend compression stocking use, daily exercise, lifestyle changes, and other strategies to support your long-term vascular health.

Have you noticed possible signs of an emerging venous ulcer? We can help. Call your nearest Adler Foot and Ankle office in Hallandale or North Miami Beach, Florida, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation of venous ulcer symptoms. You can also book an appointment online at your convenience.