Chronic Leg Ulcers Solved by South Texas Vein Doctors: Kathy’s Journey
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
Kathy’s Story: “Chronic leg ulcers — No more!”
Kathy* wants you to know her story. She struggled with an unsuccessful skin graft to “cure” her chronic leg ulcers. Her hope is that she can save others from the unnecessary suffering she endured for over five years. Sadly, Kathy’s journey isn’t all that uncommon. We are grateful that Kathy agreed to share her vein experience.
What Are Leg Ulcers?
Firstly, what are leg ulcers exactly? Leg ulcers affect 6.5 million patients annually. These painful sores are the result of underlying conditions ranging from poor blood flow or circulation in the legs and feet to complications from diabetes, prolonged pressure from immobility, and more.
What Is a Chronic Leg Ulcer?
Non-healing leg ulcers, also known as chronic wounds, are painful, open sores on a person’s legs or feet that won’t heal—even though you’ve been trying to take care of them. To be considered non-healing, the ulcer generally does not show improvement within a range of four weeks to three months. They also tend to ooze and bleed and present a heightened risk of infection as they continue to resist traditional treatment.
A chronic leg ulcer has a variety of symptoms. Below are just a few of the more common telltale signs.
- Drainage (bloody or pus-filled)
- Skin discoloration
- Rash and/or swelling on the legs
- Thickening or itchy skin
- Skin is cool or cold to the touch
- Scabbing or flaking skin
- Hair loss near the ulcer
- Varicose veins
There are different types of ulcers, depending on the cause.
Venous Ulcers — More than 200,000 people are affected by venous ulcers in the U.S. each year. These are shallow, open sores found on the legs and feet, typically below the knees or on the inner side of the ankles. These are caused by damaged valves in the veins. They may begin as an area of redness on the skin. But because of a lack of critical blood flow, blood begins to pool in the legs, and skin tissue eventually breaks down to form a wound. Infection and inflammation typically set in, leading to scabbing and flaking skin, itchy skin, skin discoloration, and leg pain that worsens when you stand.
Arterial Ulcers — Similar to venous ulcers, ischemic skin ulcers can be non-healing ulcers. They are much like venous ulcers in that they often form on the lower extremities due to lack of blood flow. These ulcers even share many of the same signs and symptoms. But they differ slightly in that the main culprit is blocked or clogged arteries. You can typically tell the difference in that arterial ulcers form on the outer side of the ankles, feet, heels, and toes, whereas venous ulcers are typically found on the inner side of the ankles and below the knees. They are also deeper wounds compared with the shallowness of venous ulcers and can be characterized by a red, yellow, or black “punched-out” appearance.
Many patients don’t experience any discomfort at first. But eventually, ulcers can become infected and cause inflammation, which puts pressure on the skin and causes wounds to form.
Q & A About Kathy’s Journey with Chronic Leg Ulcers
Q: When did you notice a problem with chronic leg ulcers?
A: It begins in the most advanced part of my story—and of my vein disease—when I developed leg ulcers five years ago. My ulcers, despite numerous topical treatments, never would respond and close.
Q: What medical help did you seek out?
A: First my doctors decided I undergo a split thickness skin graft in which a plastic surgeon uses skin from my thigh to cover the ulceration. Much to everyone’s consternation, only 25% took. I was devastated. And the mystery continued.
After that, I was referred to a cardiologist who examined me and ordered a CT scan. The scan evaluated my arteries and deep veins of the legs. No problems were noted. The cardiologist declared that I was a very healthy person with no significant cardiac disease.
My superficial veins—where vein disease begins—were not evaluated. I later learned only some cardiologists recognize the level of disease that superficial veins can cause and recommend patients for treatment.
Q: What changed in your chronic leg ulcer care?
A: The turning point came when I returned to my wound care specialist. She told me she had heard good things about StrideCare. Despite being very skeptical, I made an appointment with Dr. Hamilton in Sugar Land.
Q: What was your experience like at StrideCare?
A: When I came in for my consultation, I told Dr. Hamilton I was very skeptical. But he was so optimistic and nice. The whole staff was!
Dr. Hamilton assured me he understood my skepticism. Skin grafts are not pleasant experiences and to have it not be effective is devastating! He also explained how he was very certain that my chronic leg ulcers were due to problems with my veins directly under the skin, the superficial veins. The ulcers had formed due to congestion of blood in the area because the blood flow was refluxing. The advanced stage of my vein disease caused the graft to not work because refluxing veins make healing very difficult and slow.
I left that first appointment so excited that finally my chronic leg ulcers might be resolved soon!
Q: Which vein treatments did you require?
A: Initially, Dr. Hamilton performed a radiofrequency ablation of the saphenous veins and of the perforating veins directly under the ulcer. Within the first eight weeks of treatment my ulcers noticeably shrunk!
I received subsequent ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and treatment follow-ups at Clear Lake clinic, which is right in my neighborhood.
Q: What was the result of your vein treatments?
A: My ulcers are now completely closed and healed! And I’m happy to report that I was released by my wound care doctor after five long years.
Kathy’s story about her chronic leg ulcers is what we call vein treatment success!
Resolve Chronic Leg Ulcers and Other Leg Issues with South Texas Vein Experts
StrideCare is the leader in advanced vein disease diagnosis and treatment. No matter what stage of the vein condition, today’s minimally invasive vein procedures end leg pain, discomfort, and embarrassment.
The expert physicians at StrideCare are board certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology. They treat everything from spider veins and problem varicose veins to the most advanced conditions such as venous dermatitis and chronic leg ulcers.
If you are experiencing problems with your legs, schedule your consultation and screening. The skilled vein doctors at StrideCare will recommend an individualized plan to help you get the best results. If an underlying vein disease is causing you pain and discomfort, it is very treatable with effective leading-edge procedures. There is hope.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
*Patient stories are true. Names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.
