Venous Ulcers

Venous Ulcer Surgery in Koramangala, Bangalore

Venous is an adjective referring to veins. An ulcer is a wound caused by a disruption in any mucosal or epidermal lining. A venous ulcer, therefore, is a wound that is formed due to a dysfunction in the underlying vein, usually involving the venous valves. 

Treatment for this is available at venous ulcers hospitals in Bangalore.

What are the basic things we need to know about venous ulcers?

Venous ulcers are wounds formed above and below the skin, from improperly functioning veins. They occur mainly in the lower extremities, between the knee and the ankle.

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood to the heart, while arteries carry blood away from it. The blood pressure difference promotes the flow of blood. Veins have single direction oriented valves along their walls which help prevent backflow of blood.

Dysfunction of the venous valves or a change in blood pressure can lead to a ballooning in the epithelial layer causing vessel widening and congestion leading to the formation of ulcers. Consult venous ulcers doctors in Bangalore for more details.

What are the different types of leg ulcers?

• Arterial or Ischemic Leg Ulcers - Caused due to reduced blood flow in arteries
• Venous Leg Ulcers - Caused due to reduced blood flow in veins
• Pressure Ulcers - Caused due to low or lack of mobility of lower limbs
• Neuropathic Leg Ulcers - Caused due to peripheral neuropathy
• Neurotrophic or Diabetic Leg Ulcers - Caused due to poor wound healing
• Vascular Leg Ulcers - Caused due to chronic illnesses and autoimmune disorders
• Traumatic Leg Ulcers - Caused due to injury 
• Malignant Leg Ulcers - Caused due to cancer

What are the symptoms of a venous ulcer?

• Stasis Dermatitis Varicose Eczema - Discoloration, pitting of the skin
• Contact Dermatitis - Reaction of the skin to an allergen
• Atrophie Blanche - White star-like patterns on the skin arising from a healed ulcer
• Telangiectasia - Tiny red colored thread-like lines on the skin formed by inflamed, broken venules (capillary veins)
• Pain and Itching - In the lower extremities
• Spotted usually on the medial side of the leg

What are the causes of venous ulcers?

• Venous Stasis - Blood pooling due to congestive cardiac failure, lack of lower limb mobility, improper vein function
• Venous Reflux - Reverse flow of blood in veins
• Venous Hypertension - Improper circulation due to higher venous blood pressure compared to arterial pressure
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Disease - Repeated reflux of blood in the veins
• Pruritus - Itching 

When should you consult a doctor?

• Onset of pain in the lower legs
• Indication of the development of an open wound
• Presence of a wound that does not heal
• Discoloration or pitting of the skin
• Formation of tiny red coloured vessel lines across the skin

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Koramangala, Bangalore.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the possible complications from venous ulcers?

If untreated, these can lead to:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis  - Blood clot leading to deep vein occlusion, formed in the legs causing extreme pain, breaks into smaller pieces which lodge in the lungs causing pulmonary embolism
• Superficial Vein Thrombosis - Blood clots formed closer to the skin surface
• Thrombophlebitis - Venal inflammation that causes clots
• May Thurner Syndrome - Compression of left common iliac vein by right common iliac artery leading to improper blood flow in the left leg
• Thrombophilia - Imbalance of clotting factors leading to clot formation
• Arteriovenous Fistula - A blood vessel complex linking a vein and artery leading to oedema, infection, heart disease, ischemia and formation of blood clots
• Gangrene - Untreated infection causing sepsis often leading to amputation

How do you treat and prevent venous ulcers?

Non-surgical

• Elevation of lower limb - Facilitates venous blood flow towards the heart by reducing the effect of gravity 
• Bisgaard Regimen - Treating venous disease by the mnemonic, 4ME ABCDE : 4 layered bandage, Massage of the limb, Elevation, Antibiotic treatment, Bandages changed every week, Cleaning the wound, Dressing with antiseptic liquid, Exercises for the underlying muscles encouraging venous blood flow
• Antibiotics with Resin, Salve and Honey - Administered orally and topically to the wound to treat or prevent infection
• Medication - Antibiotics, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medication, vascular (for blood flow regulation, venous tone) medication

Surgical

• Open surgery - Vascular surgery of the entire wound complex
• Debridement - Surgically clean wound
• Catheter-based Intervention and Venous Angioplasty - Blast clots clearing out blocked vessels 
• Skin Grafting - Aiding in wound healing
• Direct Venous Intervention - Ligation (tying off a vessel), Ablation (image-guided cauterisation of vessels) and Sclerotherapy (injection of medication into blood vessels to cause shrinkage) 

Seek venous ulcers doctors in Bangalore for such procedures.

Conclusion

Venous ulcers are relatively easy to treat, manage and prevent if there is timely diagnosis and intervention. Later stages can lead to chronic conditions.