4 Ways to HealYour Venous Ulcers

Vein disease can become a chronic condition if not treated. Venous ulcers — open wounds that form on the lower leg or ankle — usually appear during the last and most significant stage of venous disease.

These ulcers are slow to heal and can quickly become infected, which can lead to lower-limb amputation in severe cases, especially in people with diabetes. About 1% of Americans develop these ulcers, which are more common as you age, especially in women.

At Texas Vascular Institute, with offices conveniently located in Dallas and Hurst, Texas, interventional radiologist Dr. Dev Batra and our expert team have extensive knowledge about the stages of chronic vein disease and the development of venous ulcers.

The team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options to restore your vein health. Let’s take a closer look at venous ulcers and the ways we can heal them.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are large superficial veins. As they engorge, they appear as ropy, colored protrusions on the legs. Not just an eyesore, they can cause pain, leg swelling, and itchiness.

Edema

Edema refers to the swelling of the leg when damaged veins leak fluid into the tissues. The fluid can irritate your muscles, leading to cramping, pain, and discomfort. The skin on your lower legs may also start to appear leathery and take on a bluish or reddish tint.

Venous stasis dermatitis

Edema can lead to venous stasis dermatitis — a change in color around your lower legs and ankles that comes from bursting blood vessels. The areas appear red- or brown-spotted due to deposits of hemosiderin — a breakdown product of hemoglobin.

Venous ulcers

Venous ulcers form when the previous stages of vein disease aren’t treated. These slow-healing open sores are easy to identify because they’re:

• Found on the ankle or lower leg, often over the bone
• Surrounded by discolored and/or hardened skin
• Often bloody or filled with pus

The wound may be relatively painless, but you may feel significant pain from the edema in the leg or any infection that’s developed.

Dr. Batra also uses four treatments to heal your venous ulcers by addressing the underlying vein disease. These techniques include:

1. VenaSeal™: uses a medical-grade glue to seal the diseased vein shut
2. ClosureFast™: uses radiofrequency (RF) ablation to destroy the affected vein
3. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy: injects a sclerosing agent (an irritant) into the vein with ultrasound guidance, causing the vein to collapse
4. Microphlebectomy: minimally invasive surgery that pulls out the entire vein through small incisions

Dr. Batra discusses your options at your consultation, recommending the one he feels best meets your condition and needs.

If you’ve developed venous ulcers, or if you suspect you may have any form of vein disease, it’s time to come into Texas Vascular Institute for an evaluation and treatment. Give us a call at either of our locations or book your appointment online today.