What causes leg ulcers and how should they be treated?
Leg ulcers can be due to a variety of causes ranging from poor circulation to infection to an injury. However, the most frequent cause is related to the veins within the leg. If varicose veins become quite severe and are ignored, the legs can become very swollen, congested and eventually, the skin may break down following minor injury resulting in the formation of a painful, non healing ulcers just above the ankle. An even more common occurrence is seen in patients who develop blood clots within the deep veins veins of their legs. This condition, known as thrombophlebitis or DVT, typically occurs in patients who have recently been bedridden or who have sustained a major leg injury. Following the injury, the combination of sluggish blood flow within the veins due to inactivity and possibly direct injury to the vein itself result in clotting of the blood. In a percentage of patients, abnormal “clotability” of the blood contributes to the problem. Once the clot forms, the body attempts to
Leg ulcers can be due to a variety of causes ranging from poor circulation to infection to an injury. However, the most frequent cause is related to the veins within the leg. If varicose veins become quite severe and are ignored, the legs can become very swollen, congested and eventually, the skin may break down following minor injury resulting in the formation of a painful, non healing ulcers just above the ankle.
