3 Most Common Causes Behind A Venous Leg Ulcer 

Venous ulcers appear as open skin sores. They can be very painful and produce a lot of oozing discharge. A venous leg ulcer can cause a person to experience many unpleasant symptoms including swelling, heaviness, aching, and itchy skin. It can also cause discoloration and hardening around the site of the ulcer. It also often produces a red, flakey, and scaly appearance to the skin.

A venous leg ulcer is an open wound, so it can easily become susceptible to bacterial infection. This is why it’s important to contact your doctor right away if you develop any sores. Symptoms of an infected leg ulcer include worsening pain, a green discharge coming from the site of the ulcer, an unpleasant smell, and fever. 

Venous Leg Ulcers 

Below are the 3 most common causes of venous leg ulcers and how they are treated. 

1: Venous disease 

Venous insufficiency is defined as a malfunctioning of the vein valves in the leg. When these valves are working properly, they control the blood pressure in your veins. When they malfunction, the blood isn’t carried back to the heart efficiently. 

Chronic venous insufficiency can cause a myriad of vascular disorders like unsightly spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins affect the capillaries and present as tiny red or purple fine lines at the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are swollen, knotted-looking veins that typically protrude at the surface of the skin. They can cause symptoms like itching, burning, throbbing, heaviness, or tingling sensations. 

Chronic venous insufficiency can also lead to issues related to blood clots like thrombophlebitis and deep-vein thrombophlebitis (DVT). Thrombophlebitis is inflammation in the vein that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins. It usually occurs in the legs and causes symptoms like warmth, pain, and swelling. If the clot forms deep within the muscle, it can lead to a more serious condition called DVT. With a DTV, there is an increased risk that the blood clot can dislodge, travel through the bloodstream, and get stuck in the lungs. This blockage in the lungs can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be a life-threatening situation if not treated immediately. 

2: Leg Injury or Previous Surgery  

Venous ulcers can be the result of a previous injury to the leg or past surgical procedure. Injuries like lower extremity bone fractures can affect a person’s ability to walk. Also, surgeries like hip or knee replacements require lengthy periods of recovery time. These circumstances can lead to longer periods of inactivity, which is a leading cause of venous insufficiency. 

3: Underlying Medical Conditions

Leg ulcers can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as: 

• Lymphedema— A condition caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune and circulatory systems.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease— This cardiovascular disease is defined as a circulatory condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs. This restriction is caused by fatty deposits and calcium building up in the walls of the arteries.
• Diabetes— A disease that results in high blood glucose.
• Obesity— A disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of other health problems.

Venous leg ulcers are treatable and most heal completely within 3 to 4 months with proper medical care. If you experience a venous leg ulcer, it's likely you’ll experience them again at some point if preventative measures aren’t taken. 

Many people who experience edema in their lower limbs find that wearing compression stockings or sleeves during the day. These are specially designed to apply pressure to your lower legs, helping to maintain blood flow and reduce discomfort and swelling. 

Maintaining a regular exercise program is crucial to keeping venous ulcers at bay. Inactivity is a leading cause of venous insufficiency, so the more you are moving around, the better your circulation will be. Experts agree that walking regularly is a great preventative measure. 

Venous Ulcer Specialists

Performing surgeries since 1988, the BASS Vein Center offers five different vascular procedures or vein treatments. These procedures include Conservative Vein Treatment, Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy, VenaSeal™, Sclerotherapy, and Ambulatory Phlebectomy. 

The BASS Vein Center offers 7 convenient locations. The major cities we serve include Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Lafayette, Oakland, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Our offices treat a variety of conditions, from varicose veins to spider veins and even chronic venous disease. Over the course of 15 years, our offices have completed more than 24,000 vein procedures. We have six vascular surgeons and four general surgeons at The Vein Center. Schedule a consultation with one of our expert vein doctors to get started with vein treatments today.