Do you have a wound on your ankle or leg that hasn't healed for months? Are you experiencing swelling and heaviness in your feet? Most likely, you're not just dealing with a skin wound, but a venous ulcer caused by poor blood circulation. The good news: it's easily treated if diagnosed correctly.
🦵 How do I know if it's a venous ulcer?
It is characterized by its presence often above the inner ankle, and the skin around it is dark (brown or bluish) and firm, with swelling that increases when standing and decreases when raising the leg.
1. Why won't this wound heal?
The problem is not in the skin, but in the veins (varicose veins). The "stagnant" blood in the leg, due to weak valves, puts pressure on the skin from the inside and prevents oxygen from reaching it, leading to tissue death and the wound opening spontaneously.
2. The golden treatment protocol (Compression is Key)
At the wound clinic in Dar Al Salam Hospital, we follow a three-dimensional plan:
A. Compression Therapy
This is the secret to healing. We use special medical bandages (4-Layer Bandage) that apply pressure to the leg in a calculated way to push the "stagnant" blood upwards, reducing swelling and allowing the wound to heal.
b. Local wound care
Cleanse the secretions and use dressings that absorb excess fluids and protect the surrounding skin from chafing.
c. Treating the underlying cause (varicose veins)
After the ulcer has healed, we advise you to consult our vascular consultant for varicose vein treatment with laser or injections to prevent future recurrence of the wound.
3. Home remedies to speed up healing
- Raise your legs above heart level for 30 minutes (3 times a day).
- Walking moves the calf muscle, which acts as a blood pump.
- Make it a point to wear medical compression socks as soon as you wake up.