Venous Wounds

What are venus wounds?

Venous wounds, or venous ulcers, are open skin sores that can affect any part of your skin. However, they most often affect the legs. Venous wounds are typically caused by poor circulation in your veins, causing delayed healing for up to several months or longer without proper treatment. 

Some people even lose their limbs because of untreated venous wounds and severe infections that develop. See a vascular surgeon at the first sign of non-healing wounds.

What are the symptoms of venous wounds?

The following are symptoms of venous wounds:

• Discolored skin
• Shallow, irregularly shaped sores
• Dull aching
• Wounds with foul odor
• Itching
• Swelling 
• Sores that ooze with fluid or pus

Venous wounds may take weeks or months to heal or not heal at all without medical intervention. 

What are the risk factors for venous wounds?

Venous wounds develop when oxygen-poor blood doesn't flow from the extremities back to your heart, creating blood pooling, pressure in the veins, and damaged tissues. Risk factors include:

• Venous diseases
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Diabetes
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• High blood pressure
• Venous reflux (blood backflow)
• Blood clots
• Vein blockages
• Family history of venous disease
• Obesity
• Aging
• Deep vein thrombosis 
• Previous injuries
• Paralysis
• Being sedentary
• Smoking
• Previous surgery
• Varicose veins
• Spider veins

Maintaining a healthy weight, properly managing blood pressure and blood sugar, not smoking, exercising regularly, and adopting other healthy habits can minimize the risk of venous diseases and non-healing wounds.

How are venous wounds diagnosed?

The Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists team checks your vital signs, complets a physical exam, and reviews your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have venous wounds. They complete ankle-brachial index testing, Doppler ultrasound, a CT scan or other imaging procedures to identify damaged or poorly functioning valves in your veins.

How are venous wounds treated?

Treating venous wounds at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists may involve one or more of the following:

• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Antibiotics for an infection
• Other oral medications 
• Ointments
• Compression stockings or bandages
• Debridement to remove dead tissues
• Specialized dressings and bandages
• Wound cleaning
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Lymphedema therapy or massage
• Skin grafting
• Venous disease treatments

You might receive a referral to another specialist to effectively manage diabetes or other chronic conditions contributing to venous wounds. 

Schedule an appointment at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists by phone or request one online today to get treated for venous wounds and reduce the risk of further problems.