Leg Ulcers

Whilst many people have not heard of a leg ulcer they are surprisingly common. Up to 1% of adults in the UK will suffer from leg ulceration at some time in their lives and district nurses can spend up to 22% of their time treating leg ulcers.

A leg ulcer is an area of damage on the skin, below the knee or on the foot which fails to heal after several weeks. What can start out as a minor knock or scratch; (often on something everyday like a supermarket trolley) can potentially turn in to a leg ulcer. For a wound not to heal other factors are involved e.g. poor venous return, infection or diabetes.

Whilst sufferers may dismiss it as "nothing" and not seek treatment for weeks, months or even years, it is vital that any wounds on the leg are seen by a health professional if they have not healed within 4-6 weeks.

The majority of leg ulcers are venous in origin (70%), meaning the sufferer's blood does not flow back to the heart as well as it should, thus delaying healing. Until this is corrected, a leg ulcer cannot heal which is why some patients have had an ulcer for many years. However, on a positive note the use of compression bandages and compression hosiery means that most venous leg ulcers can be successfully healed and will not return.

20% of ulcers are arterial (resulting from a diminished volume of arterial blood to the lower limb) with the rest resulting from diabetes, rheumatoid disease and various other conditions.