Venous Leg Ulcers Treatment in Lubbock, Texas

Venous leg ulcers occur when the veins in the legs do not transfer blood back to the heart as required. The blood then accumulates in the veins and builds up pressure. The excess blood and pressure will then cause an open sore leading to the outflow of blood.

Venous leg ulcers usually develop on the inside of the leg, just above the ankle. It is slow to heal and could take more than 2 weeks to heal.

Symptoms of Venous leg ulcers

Early symptoms of venous leg ulcers include pain, itching and swelling of the lower leg.

Other symptoms include;

• Heaviness and cramping of the leg
• Itching and tingling at the lower leg region
• The leg will start having a dark red, purple or brown coloration
• Hardened skin
• The skin becomes shiny, tight or warm
• The shape of the leg begins to alter
• Shallow sores with a red base
• Infected sore begins to bring out bad odor
• Pus around the wound

Causes of Venous leg ulcers

The veins in the leg have one-way valves that keep the blood from the leg flowing to the heart. When the values become blocked, weak or affected, it can’t take the blood up to the heart, instead, the blood will flow backward and pool in the leg.

The pooling of blood will then lead to high pressure in the lower leg veins and build up fluids. This prevents nutrients and oxygen from getting into the leg tissues and causes the cells to die. The tissues are then damaged causing a wound to be formed.

People with deep vein thrombosis, osteoarthritis, obesity, smoking, severe leg injury, varicose veins, paralysis, or had a major leg operation are more at risk of developing venous leg ulcers.

How Venous leg ulcer is treated

Venous leg ulcer can be prevented by wearing compression stockings, regular exercise, losing weight, stop smoking, elevating your legs whenever possible.

These are very important most especially if you have been treated for venous leg ulcer before.

First step of treatment: Cleaning and dressing the ulcer

The initial step is to evacuate any dirt or dead tissue from the ulcer and dress it appropriately. This gives the best conditions to the ulcer to recuperate. The dressing needs to be changed once every week.

Some individuals discover they can oversee cleaning and dressing their very own ulcer under the supervision of a medical attendant.

Step two: Using a compression bandage

To improve vein flow in your legs and treat swelling, your medical attendant will need to use a compression bandage over the affected leg.

These wraps are intended to crush your legs and urge blood to flow upwards towards your heart.

The use of a compression bandage should be done by professional medical personnel. Painkillers or paracetamol are given to the patient to prevent pains.

You should always wear your compression bandage at all times and follow the instruction of your physician.

If you are experiencing severe pains at the top of your foot, front of your ankle and if your toes are becoming blue and swollen, those are signs that the bandage needs to be changed

After treatment, always keep your leg at an elevated level whenever possible. Your toes should be above your hips to facilitate the flow of blood upwards and reduce swelling.

You can do this by laying on a sofa and put your legs upward. You can also lay on your bed and hand your legs upward.

Regular exercises and walking will also help with blood circulation and reduce swelling. Avoid sitting or standing for a long time.

What to do during and after treatment

To recover quickly, there are some things you should do for the ulcer to heal.

• Always keep your legs elevated whenever possible
• Be active and take walks at intervals
• Exercise regularly for better blood circulation
• Eat healthy diet and reduce your weight
• Always wear well-fitted and comfortable footwear
• Reduce your intake of alcohol
• Stop smoking
• Wear compression stockings at all times
• Always take your drugs as prescribed by your physician

Visiting your physician and Follow-up

After treatment, it is required for you to visit your physician at least once every week to have the legs examined and redressed. The bandages will need to be changed and prescription made for you.

If you are experiencing increased pains, severe itching, fever, bleeding, redness, swelling, odor, etc, you should visit your physician.

What to do after the ulcer has been healed

Another venous leg ulcer can develop once one has been treated and healed. It is important that you should do everything possible as prescribed by your physician to prevent another one from developing.

You can prevent it by always wearing compression stockings. This is the most effective way to prevent another ulcer from developing

The compression stockings are specially designed to compress your legs and improve blood circulation. They are very tight at the ankle and less tight at the upper part of the legs, hence allowing for the upward flow of blood.

Also, regular exercise is encouraged for the free flow and circulation of blood. It also helps to reduce weight and keep you healthy.

South-West Regional Wound Care Center – Venous Leg Ulcers Treatment Lubbock, Texas

South West Regional Wound Care Center is a medical center in Lubbock, Texas that is involved in the treatment of Venous leg ulcers.

We are a medical center that specializes in the treatment of all kinds of wounds and particularly venous leg ulcers.

We have a team of professional medical personnel’s that are well-trained for wounds treatment.

We have advanced medical facilities and instruments for treating and healing wounds. All our patients are adequately taken care of by our team of employees.

No matter the degree of your wound or the severity, we provide the best care and services to make sure that your wound is perfectly treated and healed.

Our medical services are among the best in Lubbock and around Texas.

Call on us to book an appointment and we assure you of the best medical care.