If you have a sore on your leg or ankle that just won’t heal, you might be dealing with a venous leg ulcer. This isn’t a common cut or scrape. It’s a sign that blood isn’t flowing properly through your leg veins.
The good news? Venous leg ulcers can be treated. With the right care, most heal completely. At Varicose to Perfect, Dr. Sinnathamby helps patients get these wounds under control and address the root cause so they’re less likely to come back.
What Is a Venous Leg Ulcer?
A venous leg ulcer is an open wound that usually forms on the lower leg or inside of the ankle. It happens when weakened or damaged veins don’t push blood back up to the heart effectively. Blood pools in the lower leg, fluid leaks out, and the skin breaks down.
These ulcers can be painful, slow to heal, and prone to infection. But they’re also treatable.
Step 1: A Full Evaluation
Treatment starts with understanding what’s happening beneath the skin. Dr. Sinnathamby, a double board-certified vascular physician, will examine your leg and often order a painless ultrasound. This test shows how blood is flowing through your veins and pinpoints where the problem is.
This step is critical. Treating the skin without fixing the vein issue is like patching a leaky pipe without turning off the water.
Step 2: Getting the Ulcer Ready to Heal
Before any vein treatment, the ulcer itself needs care. This typically includes:
- Cleaning the wound to remove dead or infected tissue (a process called debridement)
- Applying special dressings that keep the wound moist and protected
- Managing any infection with medication if needed
Our team will show you how to care for the wound at home. Simple, consistent care makes a big difference.
Step 3: Improving Blood Flow with Compression
The first line of treatment for venous leg ulcers is often compression therapy. Specially fitted compression stockings or bandages gently squeeze the lower leg. This helps push pooled blood back up and prevents new fluid from leaking into the tissue.
Many patients are surprised at how much difference compression makes. Over a few weeks, swelling typically goes down and the ulcer often starts shrinking.
Step 4: Treating the Underlying Vein Problem
To keep the ulcer from coming back, the root cause needs treatment. Dr. Sinnathamby offers minimally invasive procedures like endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) or sclerotherapy. These close off the damaged veins that are causing blood to pool.
Blood simply reroutes to healthier veins. The procedures are done in our Springboro office, usually in under an hour. Patients walk in and walk out with little to no downtime.
Once treated, pressure on the ulcer drops dramatically. Healing speeds up, and the chance of the ulcer returning goes way down.
Step 5: Follow-Up and Long-Term Prevention
Healing doesn’t stop when the ulcer closes. Regular follow-up visits let us check your progress and make sure the vein treatment is working. We’ll also discuss long-term habits like wearing compression stockings, staying active, and elevating your legs when resting.
Most venous leg ulcers heal within three to four months with proper treatment. But every patient is different. The key is starting the right care as soon as possible.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Venous leg ulcers don’t usually heal on their own. The longer you wait, the harder they can become to treat. If you have a sore on your leg that isn’t improving, reach out to Varicose to Perfect. Dr. Sinnathamby and our team have the experience and tools to help you heal.
Call us today to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to live with a wound that won’t close.