I have a ulcer on my leg. Can this vein be repaired permanently? Every so often my leg develops an ulcer near the same spot.
The procedure for varicose veins helps to improve the blood flow to the skin which helps the wound heal. Typically a scar remains after the healing takes place. Some patients with wounds come to us after seeing a wound care specialist who applies special dressings and ointments to the wound, helping it to heal from the inside out.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Venous disease is incurable but it can be managed. With treatment, it can heal, but you should probably wear compression hose for life.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Many chronic or recurring lower leg ulcers are due to venous insufficiency and/or obstruction of veins in the leg and/or pelvis. A thorough venous color duplex exam of the leg and the abdominal/pelvic veins is important to evaluate the reasons for the ulcer if clinical exam suggests that it may be of venous origin. Treatments for the venous insufficiency or for the venous outflow obstruction often make a very big difference in healing the ulcer and in preventing recurrence.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If there is a vein near the ulcer and it has reflux, it may be the reason for the ulcer. If you close or remove that vein, the ulcer should heal and not reoccur.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you have a venous stasis ulcer (an ulcer that is caused by a refluxing vein) then treatment of that vein can help heal the ulcer and keep it healed for a significant period of time. There is no "permanent" cure for venous stasis disease.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There are different types of treatment available to you that would lessen the chances of recurrence.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, we always look for long term cure of ulcers. One should look for additional vein issues if ulcers return after successful ablation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, if the ultrasound exam reveals venous reflux in the superficial veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Possibly, depending on the source of the ulcer. If it is venous in nature and you have a vein problem that is fixable, it may be a recent recurrence.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Venous ulcerations are most commonly due to reflux of the greater, lesser saphenous veins or both and then due to perforator reflux. You need a thorough venous reflux exam to find the source/sources of the reflux and then treat them appropriately. Although there is no permanent cure, closure of all sources of reflux and of incompetent feeding veins to the ulcer carries a high success rate.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Possibly. If this is is a venous stasis ulcer, it often heals permanently if the underlying venous disorder (called venous reflux) is treated and cured by a vein specialist. You should also be evaluated for possible arterial circulation problems, which is best evaluated through an examination by a vascular surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Having the varicose veins treated that feed that ulcer will allow faster and better healing of that ulcer. If there are veins that are left untreated feeding that ulcer, it will have a difficult time healing fully. Ultrasound is recommended and varicose vein treatment would be the next step.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your venous ulcer can be fixed permanently. However, in order to do this, all of the abnormal veins within the involved leg need to be addressed. Treating just one vein in the affected leg does not usually fix an ulcer permanently. In all of the patients that I have treated for venous ulcers, I find that they all tend to have a high concentration of abnormal veins in the region around the ulcer in addition to other larger vein issues throughout the remainder of the leg. This is why properly treating your ulcer does take some time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012