Why Not to Ignore a Leg Ulcer or Sore That Won’t Heal
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
When Mitchell* was younger, he got used to ignoring the cuts and wounds he’d have on his legs. After all, he was active and always getting into stuff. Not to mention, they’d always heal. But the one he has now is different because he’s not near as active as he used to be all those years ago and isn’t sure how this latest wound happened. Not to mention, it won’t heal. After going to the doctor, he finds out that it is a leg ulcer, and because he ignored it for so long, his symptoms have gone from painful to potentially life-altering.
The good news is that Mitchell is going to be fine, but his story is a reminder that you should never ignore a leg ulcer that won’t heal. These sores affect 6.5 million patients annually, and they typically don’t happen out of thin air. Short of a specific injury, there are almost always underlying health conditions at play. These conditions not only cause sores but also keep them from healing and eventually lead to serious complications.
What Are the First Signs of a Leg Ulcer?
A leg ulcer is a break in the skin located on the feet, legs, ankles, and back that forms gradually as tissue slowly breaks down and causes lesions on the skin. At first, the ulcer may be smaller and look like a common sore or wound. They can also be painless, leading many people to ignore their situation altogether and fail to seek medical treatment. As time goes by, a leg ulcer generally won’t 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. Just a few of the more common symptoms of leg ulcers that won’t heal include:
- 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
In terms of what causes a leg ulcer, there are many reasons why you might have one or several leg ulcers. At the top of the list is poor circulation issues in the legs and feet. Other serious conditions include complications from diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, prolonged pressure from immobility or a sedentary lifestyle, surgeries gone wrong, poor blood flow throughout the body, low oxygen, lymphedema, and even trauma.
What Are Different Types of Leg Ulcers?
There are four types of ulcers that can affect the legs and feet, depending on the cause.
- Venous Ulcers
These ulcers are currently the most common type of leg ulcer, affecting more than 200,000 people in the U.S. each year. They are typically found below the knees or on the inner side of the ankles and occur when the veins in your legs do not circulate blood back to your heart as efficiently as they should. As a result, blood begins to pool in the legs, which builds up pressure. If they remain untreated, the increased pressure and excess fluid can cause an open sore to form, which has a high chance of becoming infected.
Telltale signs of venous ulcers are:
- Skin discoloration
- Leg pain that worsens as you stand
- Scabbing, flaking, thickening, or itchy skin
- Arterial Ulcers
Arterial ulcers share similar signs and symptoms as venous ulcers but are caused by blocked or clogged arteries. Their location is also different—more so on outer side of the ankles, feet, heels, and toes. While signs and symptoms can be similar to venous ulcers, arterial ulcers do have additional unique signs.
- Look like yellow, red, or black sores with a punched-out appearance
- Wounds are much deeper
- Tight, hairless patches of skin on the legs and ankles
- Pressure Ulcers
More than 25% of people in the United States develop pressure ulcers or bedsores on their backs, hips, legs, ankles, and buttocks. Most of these individuals are older and not as mobile as they once were.
Common symptoms of pressure ulcers may include:
- Skin that’s softer or firmer than the surrounding area
- Open wound on the skin
- Swelling, pain, and itchiness
- Diabetic Ulcers
Diabetic ulcers present themselves on a patient’s feet and are a common complication among those with diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers can impact anyone at any age but are typically found in people over the age of 45. Common symptoms of diabetic ulcers include:
- Thick, red skin around the ulcer
- Large open wounds on the big toes and balls of the feet
- Unusual odor and drainage
What Are Leg Ulcer Treatment Options?
- Diagnostic Arterial Ultrasound — This is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. It can safely diagnose the health of a patient’s arteries, blood vessels, and cardiovascular system.
- Diagnostic Angiography – This is a type of X-ray used to check blood vessels. A special dye is first injected into your blood. This highlights the blood vessels, allowing your doctor to see any problems. This diagnostic test creates advanced x-ray images called angiograms.
- Angioplasty — Your vascular specialist will use a balloon system to open up narrowed or blocked arteries. A catheter is inserted through a small incision and advanced to the affected artery. There is minimal downtime.
- Atherectomy — This procedure uses advanced laser technology to erase plaque buildup in the arteries. It can be performed on its own but is often combined with angioplasty and stenting.
- Stenting — A more advanced procedure, this involves using a small mesh tube to keep a closed-off blood vessel or artery open for the long term. This procedure greatly reduces the chance of a reoccurring blockage.
Let StrideCare Treat What is Causing Your Leg Ulcers
A consultation with our vascular doctors can determine the type, severity, and location of your particular problem. The key is not to delay seeking help—especially if you have leg ulcers. Our expert doctors and caring staff at StrideCare utilize the latest technologies and minimally invasive procedures to help our patients with a variety of vein and artery diseases. The vascular physicians at StrideCare are board-certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology.
StrideCare is a leader in performing advanced procedures to treat issues such as varicose veins, spider veins, venous insufficiency, peripheral artery disease, pelvic congestion syndrome, iliac vein compression and more—all while providing compassionate care.
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.
