Leg ulcers affect about 1 in 1,000 people at some point their lives, and 20 in 1,000 people by the time they are in their 80’s. There are more than 200,000 reported cases per year, and the risk of venous skin ulcers rises with age, occurring more often in women than men. Leg ulcers are linked to a family history of varicose veins, an inactive lifestyle, or to jobs that require many hours of standing.
Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which blood doesn’t flow up normally through the veins in the legs toward the heart. Sometimes, people with untreated venous insufficiency develop open sores, which are called venous skin ulcers.
Leg ulcers develop in areas where blood pools, and swelling interferes with the movement of oxygen and nutrients through the tissues. They generally appear just above the ankle on the inside of the leg, and can be very painful and when left untreated, they can quickly become infected or even gangrenous.
The most common early leg ulcers symptoms are chronically swollen ankles, sometimes with dull aching, cramping, or feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet that becomes worse after prolonged standing. Typically, a red, irritated skin rash then develops into an open wound. Venous leg ulcers are usually recurrent, and open ulcers can persist from weeks to years.
However, new laser technology has revolutionized leg ulcers treatment to relieve the pain and begin healing. The laser treatment is used on certain veins in the leg to reduce the pressure around the venous ulcers. This laser treatment works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear, with no need for incisions.
The vein specialists at the Goldman Vein Institute strongly encourage patients to seek treatment for venous skin ulcers and other complications of venous insufficiency. In our state-of-the-art vein clinic, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Varghese-Goldman use the latest in vein treatment technology to help patients get back on their feet and find relief from painful ulcers and swollen, aching, and tired legs.
There’s minimal discomfort, and most treatments are characterized as being virtually painless. With these modern therapies, most people can resume their daily activities immediately after treatment. Additionally, most major health insurance carriers provide coverage for the treatment of vein disease and venous insufficiency when medically necessary.
Because smaller, newer ulcers are easier to treat than larger or infected leg ulcers, it’s crucial to seek treatment from an experienced vein specialist at the first sign of a venous skin ulcer.
If you would like more information on treatment for your leg ulcers, please contact the Goldman Vein Institute today at one of our two convenient locations:
Jupiter 561-625-9853 or Wellington 561-790-4550 or visit us at www.goldmanveininstitute.com.
At the Goldman Vein Institute, our mission is to provide our patients with comprehensive care for varicose veins, spider veins, and other conditions caused by venous insufficiency. Our highly-qualified and experienced, board-certified vein specialists, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Varghese-Goldman, combine their extensive knowledge and experience, with the latest innovations in vein treatments.
With our offices in Jupiter and Wellington Florida, the Goldman Vein Institute serves patients from Stuart, Hobe Sound, Tequesta, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Hialeah, Sunny Isles, Bay Harbor, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach, Aventura, Surfside, Hallandale, and Hollywood, and we welcome patients across South Florida to visit our state-of-the-art vein centers, where we provide the latest in vein treatment technology.
