All You Need to Know About Venous Stasis Ulcers

To care for your vascular health as you age, it is important to be aware of the possible symptoms and complications that can arise from leg vein disease. Venous stasis ulcers are one of the complications that can occur from untreated vein disease.

Venous stasis ulcers are open lesions on the legs that are often caused by chronic venous hypertension, a condition in which there is high pressure in the leg veins.

Continue reading to learn all you need to know about venous stasis ulcers, what can increase your risk of getting them, and how you can protect your legs from these ulcers.

What Can Cause a Venous Stasis Ulcer?

As one of the most common types of ulcers on the lower extremities of the body, you need to be aware of what can cause a venous stasis ulcer, so you can protect yourself from getting them. In the United States alone, 1% to 3% of the population suffers from this condition. This percentage may not sound remarkably high, but if you have leg vein disease, your risk will increase. This condition can have some serious complications, so it is best to prevent them if possible.

Venous stasis ulcers are caused when an open lesion develops in an area affected by venous hypertension. While venous stasis ulcers are most common in those with venous hypertension, there are other conditions that can also lead to a leg ulcer.

Some of the common causes of venous stasis ulcers include:

Chronic venous hypertension – This is generally the underlying cause of venous stasis ulcers and is responsible for nearly 70% of cases.
Poor blood circulation – When your blood does not circulate properly, it can pool up in your lower legs. As pressure builds up in the veins, fluid can begin to leak out into the nearby tissue.
Untreated varicose veins – These bulging veins put pressure on the surrounding skin, causing it to weaken over time. Your skin may itch in the area as well and repeated scratching can further break down the skin, leading to sores.

What are the Symptoms of Venous Stasis Ulcers?

If you are unsure if you may have a venous stasis ulcer, you need to know what signs to look for. If you have a venous stasis ulcer, you may notice these symptoms:

Heaviness in your legs
Pruritis – itchiness of the skin on your legs
Edema – swelling in the legs caused by fluid leaking from the veins into surrounding tissue
Changes in skin color on the lower legs – dark red or purple patches appear
Changes in skin texture on the lower legs – skin has become thicker or drier
Pain in the lower legs
An open sore in the lower leg area – the most obvious sign of a venous stasis ulcer

It is recommended to contact your doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of leg ulcers. If you receive treatment early enough, you may even be able to prevent the ulcer from fully forming.

How are Venous Stasis Ulcers Treated?

As you might imagine, venous stasis ulcers can be painful and unsightly. The priority for treatment lies in healing the ulcer to prevent further complications or infection. Seek treatment as soon as possible since leg ulcers heal faster and easier when they are smaller and have not had time to progress.

When you visit your doctor to address a possible venous stasis ulcer, you will undergo a visual examination. If your doctor sees signs of a leg ulcer, they may use ultrasound to help determine what may be causing the ulcer.

If you are diagnosed with a venous stasis ulcer, you will undergo treatment immediately. This may include:

Removal of dead tissue, if applicable, to aid healing
Compression therapy – application of compression bandages or a prescription for compression stockings
Leg elevation – propping your legs up with pillows when you sit or sleep
Daily exercise – low-impact activities like walking to help boost blood circulation

You will need to follow up with your doctor to see that the ulcer is healing properly. Venous stasis ulcers can be slow to heal, so it is essential to follow all of your doctor’s instructions. If the ulcer still has not healed after several months, you may need more intensive treatment like:

Medicine and/or antibiotics to address healing and infection
Skin grafting – this may be needed if your ulcer is particularly deep or resistant to healing
Vein surgery – this may be needed if your ulcer does not heal properly and you are deemed to be at a higher risk for future venous stasis ulcers

What Happens if a Venous Stasis Ulcer is Left Untreated?

If you believe you may have a venous stasis ulcer, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Since this condition involves open sores that are slow to heal, the risk for infection is high.

Delaying treatment of a venous stasis ulcer can lead to serious complications such as:

Infections – The tissue surrounding the ulcer can die when infected. The infection can also spread to the bones or the bloodstream.
Loss of your leg or skin on the leg – Infection that spreads to the bones or bloodstream can possibly result in the loss of your leg or a large portion of skin on the leg, requiring skin grafts.
Loss of mobility – Pain from an untreated leg ulcer can restrict your movements.
Blood clots – Inactivity due to intense pain can affect the circulation in your legs, putting you at a higher risk for blood clots.

What are the Risk Factors for Venous Stasis Ulcers?

To keep your legs healthy, you will want to know the factors that put you at a higher risk of having a venous stasis ulcer.

The following can increase the risk of venous stasis ulcers:

Age – Those who are 55 and up are at a higher risk.
Genetics – A family history of chronic venous insufficiency will increase your risk.
Body mass index – People with a higher BMI have a higher risk of leg ulcers due to excess pressure on the leg veins.
Pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis – If you have a history of either of these conditions, you will be at a higher risk for other complications of vein disease.
Sedentary lifestyle – Those who are inactive run a higher risk of leg ulcers due to sluggish blood circulation.
Smoking – This habit can restrict blood flow due to narrowed blood vessels. Impeded circulation can lead to a condition known as smoker’s leg, which results in pain and cramping in the legs, as well as increasing the risk of leg ulcers.

Summary

Now you know what signs to look for that may indicate a venous stasis ulcer and what lifestyle changes you can make to prevent or reduce the chances of having this type of leg ulcer. Awareness of what makes you more susceptible to leg vein disease can help you make the changes you need to promote the health of your veins. As much as home treatments can help decrease the symptoms of vein disease, they are not guaranteed to prevent venous stasis ulcers.

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for decreasing the appearance and progression of leg vein disease, it is important to seek out professional care if the problem persists. If you’re experiencing symptoms of leg vein disease that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.