Venous ulcers, also referred to as stasis or varicose ulcers, are the result of malfunctioning venous valves, typically in the legs, causing pressure in the veins to increase. These typically occur along the medial distal (inner and lower, respectively) leg. The resulting venous hypertension causes blood pooling when it is not as efficiently pumped back towards the heart, otherwise known as venous insufficiency. In addition, the increase in pressure stretches the vein walls, allowing proteins in the blood to leach into the subcutaneous tissues, resulting in edema and the eventual breakdown of said tissues due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. Specifically, deposits around the capillaries of the protein fibrin, which normally plays a role in clotting, prevent oxygen and nutrients from flowing to the surrounding muscle and tissue and in turn lead to necrosis and ulceration.
Background:
Veins are responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart from various bodily tissues. The venous system operates at relatively low blood pressure, relying on the contraction and expansion of skeletal muscles to propel blood past the one-way valves in the veins on its way back to the heart. The circulatory system relies on this pressure gradient to push blood through the arteries and into the veins.
Symptoms:
At the beginning of development, the overlying skin turns dark red or purple as a result of blood leaching into the extravascular medium. Venous ulcers will present with shallow but large wounds with irregular margins that typically develop on the lower leg or ankle. The base of the ulcer is typically red, can result in a significant amount of exudate depending on the level of infection, and will ooze venous blood when manipulated. Typically the wound will be relatively painless, with any pain resulting from subsequent infection or edema. Often the entire leg will become swollen, and the skin will become more firm and reddish brown in color, otherwise known as stasis dermatitis. Elevation of the limb will help to relieve discomfort and swelling.
Causes:
Any condition that causes blood to pool in the veins of the leg is a potential cause of venous ulcers, including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, or heart failure. Most venous ulcers are caused by venous valves that do not properly prevent the backflow of blood, or venous reflux, from deep veins back to the superficial veins located between the skin and muscles. In addition, any condition resulting in muscle weakness in the lower leg can in turn decrease the skeletal muscle’s effectiveness in propelling blood back towards the heart.
Treatment:
In directly treating venous ulcers, the primary goal is keeping the ulcer site infection-free during the healing process. Debridement to remove dead tissue and surface contamination may be used to change the wound from chronic to acute, at which point it can progress through the regular stages of healing. Maggots can also be suggested as another method of removing necrotic tissue from the wound. Typically, oral antibiotics are only necessary if there is an infection in the surrounding tissue. The wound environment should typically be moist, with dressings changed as infrequently as possible due to the fact that changing dressings removes both healthy cells and debris. In extreme cases, surgical skin grafts can be used in order for abnormally large or painful ulcers to properly heal.
In addition to treating the superficial wound and edema, the secondary goal in treating venous ulcers is to alleviate the underlying condition. One of the most common treatments is compression therapy, which serves to decrease blood vessel diameter and pressure, increasing effectiveness and in turn preventing venous reflux. However, compression should only be used in patients without significant arterial disease, as it would only then exacerbate extant conditions. An Unna boot extending from the toes to just below the knee can also help to promote healing, reduce infection and promote blood return to the heart. The boot consists of moist gauze which is allowed to harden then wrapped tightly with an elastic bandage.
Risks:
The following precautions can help minimize the risk of developing venous ulcers in at-risk patients and to minimize complications in patients already exhibiting symptoms:
Examine feet (especially between the toes) and legs daily for any unusual changes in color or the development of sores.
Avoid sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Avoid crossing legs while sitting.
Quit smoking. Smoking contributes to blood clotting in the veins.
Elevate legs regularly.
Avoid tight fitting clothing and ensure that footwear is properly fitted to avoid points of rubbing or pressure.
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