It is worth remembering that varicose veins of the lower extremities cannot be ignored; as a result of impaired blood supply, ulcers can form on the legs, which often leads to disability. This process is caused by a change in trophism in the tissues of the lower extremities; due to venous stagnation, the skin dies off. The formation of this skin defect is observed, which has a medical name - varicose ulcer. In this article we will try to talk in more detail about the reasons why leg ulcers occur, as well as the symptoms of trophic ulcers and methods of curing this disease.
Let us recall that the first thing a trophic ulcer does is affect the skin of the lower extremities; as a result of the development of stagnant processes, a change in the structure of the intima of blood vessels occurs and tissue nutrition stops. The formation of trophic ulcers in varicose veins is influenced by various factors, both internal and external.
The most common include:
Also, the appearance of lower extremity ulcers can be influenced by various diseases:
Experts distinguish several stages of development of varicose ulcers on the leg:
With proper treatment, trophic ulcers go away without any serious consequences, but venous disease can cause various complications. The most common consequences of the development of varicose ulcers include the following pathologies:
Varicose veins lead to trophic ulcers in the absence of treatment or the wrong method of therapy. However, skin damage can be prevented if you pay attention to the early signs of pathology, which include:
These signs should be a serious reason to consult with your doctor, so as not to resort to treatment for varicose ulcers of the lower extremities in the future. But if damage to the skin has already begun, then we will tell you how to treat this disease below, because the treatment of trophic ulcers must begin at the very first signs of the disease.
Note that the ulcerative condition itself is characterized by a number of signs:
It is worth noting that usually trophic ulcers with varicose veins form in the upper part of the lower leg; the wounds are round and have an uneven structure. Pustular lesions with an unpleasant odor may appear in the center. Most often, the bottom of the ulcer is covered with granules.
The wounds are red and the area around it is flaky and itchy.
Gray granules form on the lower part of the ulcerative lesion, sometimes with an unpleasant odor. Typically, ulcerative skin lesions have a rather drawn-out process with frequent repetitions.
At the first signs of the appearance of trophic ulcers, you should consult a phlebologist, who will prescribe a proper examination, based on the results of which competent treatment will be recommended.
The main research method for this disease is ultrasound, which can be used to determine blood flow in the lower extremities. Also, when making a competent diagnosis, biological and cytological examination, the method of radiopaque phlebology, or examination using the introduction of radionuclides are used. The instrumental diagnostic method is used less frequently.
Such a variety of diagnostic methods is due to the fact that trophic ulcers can be a consequence not only of varicose veins, but also of other diseases mentioned above (diabetes, hypertension and others).
Varicose ulcers can be cured; there are two treatment methods: medication and surgery. If a patient has ulcers on the legs due to varicose veins, then treatment is most effective using the vacuum therapy method (VAC therapy). This method involves a procedure in which all pus is removed from a trophic ulcer by applying negative pressure. This method of therapy improves blood circulation in the lower extremities and also removes swelling.
You can also treat a trophic ulcer using several other surgical methods:
However, it is worth noting that the method of surgical intervention is necessarily accompanied by drug treatment. The initial stage of development of the disease involves the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, the most prescribed of which is Diclofenac. Along with these drugs, antihistamines (Tavegil) are usually prescribed, and intravenous injections of antiplatelet agents can be prescribed.
When treating this disease, local drugs that have antibacterial and regenerating properties are always prescribed. If surgical procedures have been performed, then proper care is required for the wound; the wound is washed with chlorhexidine or furatsilin solution.
Bandages with Levomikol are also indicated on the wound.
In case of some complications, the patient is prescribed a hemosorption procedure, i.e. blood cleansing, or physiotherapy. For better scarring of varicose ulcers, various ointments and creams are used, for example, Solcoseryl or Ebermin. To speed up the regeneration process, specialists prescribe general strengthening drugs, as well as agents that improve blood circulation in the affected areas. For better scarring, elastic bandages are usually used, a bandage is applied in the area of the affected bandage for a period of 20-25 minutes, and the bandage is moistened with formaldehyde.
To prevent relapses of the disease, it is necessary to follow preventive measures.
Preventive measures will include several simple recommendations:
Prevention may also include taking medications that improve blood flow.
Remember that the main factor in the development of varicose veins and trophic ulcers that develop against the background of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, in order to prevent disruption of the trophic process, it is necessary to radically change your lifestyle. If the course of the disease worsens, it is necessary to urgently seek advice from a phlebologist. Treatment can only be prescribed by a competent specialist after a detailed and comprehensive examination.
Varicose veins are one of the main causes of disability. The pathology is characterized by pain in the legs, worsening at night, cramps, the appearance of vascular networks on the surface of the skin, as well as bulging of large veins.
Among the complications of varicose veins, not the least important is the presence of ulcers of the lower extremities. Impaired functioning of the blood vessels of the lower extremities leads to poor blood supply to the tissues, which disrupts trophism and leads to the formation of a trophic ulcer on the leg.
The causes of varicose veins can be different - heavy physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse, heredity, frequent hypothermia. Diabetes mellitus often contributes to the formation of ulcers. This disease affects blood vessels, affects nerve endings, and leads to loss of sensitivity in a certain area of the body. Next, a wound appears, similar to a trophic ulcer, but differs in that it does not affect the person’s gait.
In rare cases, hypertensive and pyogenic ulcers and neurotrophic skin lesions occur. The first are provoked by prolonged high blood pressure, the second by a malfunction of the immune system, and the third by damage to the spinal cord or brain.
The disease progresses gradually, each stage is characterized by its own symptoms. Primary trophic ulcers with varicose veins form within 3-8 weeks. At this time, swelling of the subcutaneous tissue is observed in the affected area, the skin color loses its uniformity and becomes spotty, and white spots are noticeable. Such spots signal a necrotic process; later, instead of spots, ulcers form. The pathological process then proceeds as follows:
The result of competent treatment of varicose ulcers is the closure of the ulcer with connective tissue, and doctors record the healing of the ulcer. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to achieve such a result, and in approximately 30-40% of cases one can only hope for surgery.
Considering that trophic ulcers are a secondary pathology, the cause that caused them makes it possible to divide skin disorders into types. Initially, venous and arterial ulcers are distinguished. The first ones usually form on the lower leg, which indicates a problem with the venous network, or more precisely, damage to varicose veins. You can learn more about the symptoms and treatment of varicose veins in another article. Second (arterial) ulcers are most often provoked by obliterating atherosclerosis. As a rule, such ulcers are detected on the feet, have clear boundaries and a diameter of up to 5 cm. More often, arterial ulcers are detected in elderly patients; their precursors will be: gait disturbance, numbness in the legs.
Usually, when an ulcer is detected on the legs due to varicose veins, comprehensive treatment is prescribed. Vascular surgeons prescribe medications for oral and external use and can supplement therapy with traditional medicine recipes. If treatment is ineffective, surgery is indicated.
Local remedies for treating leg ulcers are prescribed taking into account the stage of development of the pathology. If purulent contents are detected in the ulcer, it should be treated with compresses and bandages with a hypertonic solution. Baths with sea salt help. Interferon ointment and proteolytic enzymes accelerate the cleansing of pus from the ulcer. Antibiotics, antiseptics, and iodine solutions will help transform the ulcer from a wet to a dry state.
The next stage includes the use of drugs that enhance nutrition of the affected areas of the limbs. Complamin and Reopoliglucin give excellent results in the treatment of trophic ulcers. Separately, it is necessary to mention Solcoseryl - a product for external use that helps at any stage of the disease. Solcoseryl is available in the form of a gel and ointment for ease of use. The medicine increases tissue trophism, cleanses the wound, and removes decay products from the wound tissue. Solcoseryl also accelerates wound healing - epithelial tissue heals faster.
Taking traditional medications plays a significant role in the treatment of varicose ulcers. As a rule, the doctor prescribes broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent suppuration. Ibuprofen and Diclofenac are used to stop the inflammatory process. Before prescribing such treatment for varicose ulcers, it is necessary to exclude the presence of diseases of the stomach and esophagus in the patient. To minimize the risk of allergic reactions, antihistamines are prescribed.
There are situations when varicose ulcers can only be treated surgically. In this case, surgeons excise the source of inflammation and necrotic tissue. There are several methods to treat varicose ulcers, the main ones:
If the pathology threatens the patient's life, doctors consider amputating part or all of the affected limb. Such a decision is made only as a last resort.
In addition to the listed treatment methods, the patient is recommended to undergo physiotherapeutic procedures to help cope with both varicose veins and ulcers associated with them. The most effective in this case will be: magnetic and laser therapy, UV irradiation of the affected areas of the leg, ozone therapy. Patients leave a lot of positive reviews about the pressure chamber. After successful treatment, doctors recommend their patients to consolidate their success by visiting a sanatorium where mud therapy is performed. If the patient has residual wounds on the legs, treatment is carried out under the supervision of specialists.
Traditional healers and hereditary herbalists will certainly offer a lot of recipes for varicose veins and ulcers caused by them. But not all decoctions and infusions are as harmless as we would like to think about them. Therefore, before applying compresses from marsh calamus to wounds or drinking fly agaric decoction, you should consult with your doctor to determine how safe and appropriate such therapeutic techniques are.
As a rule, the doctor allows the treatment of trophic ulcers to be supplemented with folk remedies after the acute process has passed and the gradual stage of recovery has begun. Doctors approve of decoctions and infusions with string, chamomile and calendula. These antiseptics have long established themselves as strong agents that do not cause side effects. Cleanses the wound well and stimulates the regeneration of celandine tissue cells. To dry a weeping ulcer, use both regular tar and an alcohol tincture of propolis. Compresses with tar and golden mustache juice are applied directly to the wound. The course lasts until the ulcer is completely healed. Tar can be mixed with goose fat in a dosage of 1:3, after which a fresh compress is applied to the wound. The effect comes very quickly, to the surprise of skeptics. Tartar is another herb that is often used to treat leg ulcers. The dried plant is crushed into dust and sprinkled on the cleaned and well-dried canker. This promotes healing, cessation of inflammation and suppuration, and drying.
Like any other disease, trophic ulcers are easier to prevent than to treat them. Initially, doctors recommend that their patients monitor the condition of the blood vessels in their legs. This is especially true for those who, due to heredity or occupation, are at risk for varicose veins. Such patients need to undergo a preventive examination annually and take preventive measures every six months to prevent the development of pathology.
It is important to reconsider your lifestyle and try to compare it as much as possible with the characteristic “healthy”. Excessive stress on the legs, prolonged standing or a sitting position are considered harmful - any static position that leads to stagnation of blood in the legs, the formation of varicose veins with all the ensuing consequences.
Mud baths and balneological resorts are an excellent way to improve your overall health and prevent relapse of varicose veins, and recover after healing of trophic ulcers. Following all the recommendations of your doctor will help you quickly achieve the desired recovery.
A varicose ulcer is a wound on the lower extremities that appears as a result of venous insufficiency (varicose veins).
Varicose leg ulcers heal slowly and often recur if the necessary measures are not taken to prevent them. An untreated ulcer can trigger the development of skin cancer .
Varicose ulcers are more common among older people and women. According to statistics, this condition occurs in 1 person out of 1000, but after reaching the age of 80, the likelihood of developing varicose ulcers increases 20 times.
As a rule, varicose ulcers are painless , but there are exceptions.
The cause of varicose leg ulcers is poor blood circulation in the lower extremities, for example due to venous insufficiency (varicose veins of the legs). Veins have one-way valves inside them that allow blood to flow only towards the heart. In venous insufficiency, the valves are damaged, which can cause blood to move in the opposite direction, pooling in the veins. Over time, blood begins to leak through the veins into the surrounding tissues, which leads to their destruction, and then the appearance of ulcers.
There are factors that increase the risk of developing varicose ulcers :
There are two other types of skin ulcers that develop on the legs, but are different from varicose ulcers:
The first symptom of varicose leg ulcers is darkening of the skin on the affected area. The skin turns burgundy or dark purple due to blood flowing from the damaged vein. Over time, the area begins to itch and the skin becomes thin and dry.
If you do not see a doctor in time, an ulcer will soon appear. Over time, the wound becomes infected, causing an unpleasant odor and purulent discharge. The skin around the wound becomes red and swollen. In addition, the patient's legs swell and hurt.
Diagnosis of a varicose ulcer may be limited to a physical examination - the history of the wound, its appearance, as well as the patient’s sensations allow the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment without additional tests.
As we wrote earlier, a venous (varicose) ulcer forms just above the ankle. The resulting wound has uneven, flat edges. The surface of the varicose ulcer is slightly moist with moderate exudate. The skin around the varicose ulcer becomes red. In addition, varicose veins may be noticeable on the legs, causing the development of ulcers. The arterial ulcer is deeper. The surface of the wound is usually dry, and the skin around it is pale and cold. In addition, arterial ulcers are very painful.
Additional blood and urine tests can help rule out conditions such as anemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or kidney problems that may cause leg ulcers.
In difficult cases, the doctor uses imaging techniques such as CT or MRI to see and evaluate blood circulation in the leg.
Preventing varicose ulcers is much easier than curing them. If varicose veins are diagnosed, you should pay attention to the quality of blood circulation in the legs and improve it in every possible way. For example, regularly lie on your back with your legs raised above your head. The attraction will force stagnant blood out of the veins and reduce the risk of developing varicose ulcers.
Compression garments - stockings, tights or socks - help prevent blood from accumulating in the veins. Exercising or a simple walk improves blood circulation.
The most common and effective treatment for ulcers is antibiotics . They relieve inflammation, kill attached infection and promote wound healing.
If the ulcer is too large and deep, an artificial skin graft . Artificial skin consists of collagen and germinated skin cells, and has a healing effect on ulcers. Two-layer artificial skin in combination with compression bandages can speed up the healing of ulcers several times.
Particularly complex cases require surgical treatment , the essence of which is to remove the varicose veins that caused the ulcer.
On average, treatment of varicose ulcers takes at least 6 weeks .
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Trophic ulcers on the lower extremities are considered the most common pathology. The disease manifests itself in the form of skin lesions, which is simultaneously accompanied by an intense inflammatory process.
This type of ulcer can cause skin loss and, as a result, the patient develops scars and scars. The pathology can be treated, but it is also particularly difficult, since there is a violation of trophism and loss of restorative function.
A trophic ulcer of the lower extremity is a defect of the skin and mucous surface that appears after the destruction of surface tissues.
Intense destruction can be triggered by impaired blood flow, infection and other factors. After which the patient develops a disease in the vessels that spreads, and as a result, treatment becomes difficult.
In modern medicine, there are several types of this pathology, each of which is characterized by severe symptoms.
In most situations, it is diagnosed in elderly patients. With this pathology, the limbs are constantly cold and painful, mainly at night.
Upon visual examination, a venous network is noted, which gradually grows and becomes in the form of a purple spot. In another article, we answer the question in detail: blue spots on the legs - what are they?
Trophic ulcers of the lower extremities can occur as a result of many provoking factors. In most cases, pathology occurs due to processes that lead to impaired blood flow or due to damage, at the site of which an ulcer then intensively progresses.
The most common provoking causes of skin lesions of the lower extremities:
This pathology of the lower extremities is accompanied by severe symptoms, and if they occur, it is recommended to immediately contact a qualified specialist.
In this situation, it is not recommended to engage in self-treatment, as this can lead to certain and serious complications.
The main signs of the disease:
Diagnosis is carried out immediately after the patient consults a doctor with certain complaints. First of all, a visual inspection is carried out.
Then the patient is referred to diagnostic methods, which are as follows:
Additional studies may also be prescribed, such as:
Together, these studies help to form a complete picture of the patient’s condition.
Trophic ulcers of the lower extremities are localized mainly on the legs and feet.
At first, the patient notices the appearance of a small skin lesion, then it begins to gradually increase, infecting adjacent areas of the skin, tendons and bones.
As for the development mechanism , it depends on the type of ulcer, but in most cases they are similar to each other.
The pathology begins to develop with damage to the blood vessels in a certain area of the legs. As a result, nutrition and oxygen flow to the affected areas of the lower extremities deteriorate. Oxygen starvation can cause the formation of wounds that do not heal and, over time, accumulate purulent masses inside.
After a purulent infection gets under the skin, septic deposits and other inflammations develop. If timely treatment is not carried out, this can lead to amputation.
Before damage to the lower extremities becomes more pronounced, it is preceded by signs of the disease, which gradually intensify.
Trophic ulcers form in several stages:
The disease can lead to complications and pathologies such as:
Treatment of this pathology is difficult, since it is necessary to choose the right method of therapy that will be effective.
For trophic ulcers, the following treatment methods can be used:
The patient is prescribed the following medications:
We also recommend reading our article about the treatment of vasculitis on the legs.
The manifestation of pathology can be reduced using folk remedies. But this does not mean that professional treatment should be ignored. You can wash the wound with cabbage or potato juice, and also make compresses from it.
It is also recommended to use an infusion of lilac leaves , which help in the first stage of the lesion. An infusion of oak bark dries wounds perfectly.
To eliminate the inflammatory process, it is necessary to use powder prepared from willow bark . Also, in therapeutic measures, cottage cheese, which has just been prepared, is often used - the wound is washed with whey, and the cottage cheese is applied to the lesion in the form of a compress.
Experts also recommend using ointments from arnica, comfrey and indoor geranium . These products can be prepared independently or purchased at a herbal pharmacy.
You can also use Vishnevsky ointment , which is famous for its positive effects. Read more about balsamic liniment according to Vishnevsky here.
Before starting alternative treatment, you should consult with a specialist so as not to worsen the situation.
Even after quality treatment, relapses may occur, so you should not ignore the specialist’s instructions.