Have you noticed varicose veins or spider veins in your legs recently? Have you ever been treated for chronic venous insufficiency? An unfortunate symptom for the failure of valves in your veins are ulcers, painful areas in the leg or ankle where limited blood flow is unable to repair the damage. Here are some of the symptoms to watch out for and treatment options that are available from us at the Heart of Dixie Vein and Vascular Center.
Identifying Venous Ulcers
To understand the source of venous ulcers and leg pain, you must first understand chronic venous insufficiency. The circulatory system in the lower extremities depends on the strength of valves in our veins that open and close with the pumping of each heartbeat. When veins become damaged due to high blood pressure, injury, or sitting and standing for long periods of time, the valves slow or cease to work. When this happens, blood begins to pool in the legs instead of returning to the heart. There are multiple issues that can arise from this. But ulcers in particular form due to the body’s inability to repair itself without proper blood flow.
If you feel your legs have become swollen, hard, and constantly aching, this is an early sign of a venous ulcer. If these ulcers go untreated, it can lead to bacterial infections that can be very painful, cause high fevers, and produce a foul discharge that requires immediate treatment.
Remedies and Treatment Options for Venous Ulcers
Ulcers require treatment as soon as possible, especially if they become infected. Dress the wound and keep it clean at all times; wear compression socks to help increase blood flow to the area. Contact us if your ulcers become particularly painful and discolored, as bacterial infections in venous ulcers can continue if vein damage is severe.
If you think you have an ulcer forming due to the aching pain, you can do a couple of things (besides getting professional assistance to help your leg and ankle heal properly):
- Remain vigilant for discoloration in your ankles
- Keep moving and avoid sitting for long periods of time
- Exercise as frequently as possible
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing and tying shoes too tightly
- Elevate your legs frequently and avoid crossing your legs when sitting
Free Yourself from Leg Pain
Before ulcers can form, consider visiting us for spider vein removal and varicose vein removal. The causes of leg pain can be treated! Heart of Dixie Vein and Vascular Center in St. George, Utah is here to help you recover from the symptoms related to venous insufficiency and ulcers. We also have locations in Cedar City, Beaver, Kanab, and Mesquite, NV. Each vascular physician at our facilities is here to help you through the process with an excellent bedside manner and professional care.
Do not continue to suffer when you have the resources to remedy your leg pain and venous ulcers! Contact us today to set up an appointment at a location nearest you.
