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Venous ulcers are wounds or open sores on the lower extremities, which are very slow to heal and often reoccur. They affect over 500,000 people in the United States and account for 80-90% of all leg ulcers. They are associated with venous insufficiency or may be a complication of a post-thrombotic syndrome (blood clots). The patient may suffer from pain, infection and disfigurement.
Venous ulcers can be diagnosed in my Albuquerque vein clinic with a history and physical exam along with a duplex ultrasound exam and can readily be distinguised from other causes of ulcers including arterial (ischemic ulcers) and diabetic foot ulcers. A well-performed duplex ultrasound is the key to identifying the refluxing (reverse-flowing) veins that are contributing to the ulcer.