This article provides an overview of the dressings that may be used in venous leg ulcers and guidance on selection.
Arterial leg ulcer dressing.
According to american family physician venous ulcers are the most common type of lower.
Ulcer dressings and management racgp.
To improve the blood supply to the ulcer an angioplasty is often used or surgery to clear out a blockage from a leg artery endarterectomy or a bypass.
An ischemic arterial leg ulcer with deep punched out appearance etiology.
The cornerstone of venous leg ulcer treatment is compression therapy which increases venous return and reduces venous hypertension 1 however dressings are important because they can provide symptom control and optimise the local wound environment to promote healing.
The most common causes of arterial ulcers are.
Hy tape can secure all types of dressings commonly used in arterial ulcer wound management.
In the management of complex leg ulcers such as arterial ulcer multidisciplinary working is essential.
There are multitudes of dressing products at clinicians disposa.
Venous and arterial ulcers are open wounds that commonly occur on your lower legs and feet.
If you or someone you care for is struggling with an arterial ulcer you may request a free sample of hy tape by visiting our website or calling 1 800 248 0101.
3 the burden of recurrence is expected to rise with an ageing.
People with blood circulation problems in their legs can develop leg ulcers with adults having around a 1 chance of suffering from a leg ulcer at some time in their life.
An estimated 400 000 australians have venous leg ulcers vlus.
Figure 1 due to chronic venous insufficiency cvi vlus are managed in primary care or the community with variation in treatment and effectiveness 2 which in 2010 translated to healthcare costs of over 2 billion per year.
For information about those look on the conditions list.
Doctor prescribed advanced wound care dressings are vital to the healing of chronic leg ulcers.
Learn about how symptoms can differ and treatments for recovery.
Wounds and ulcers ulcer dressings and management background chronic leg ulcers caused by venous disease arterial disease or a combination of both need to be clearly identified before treatment can be commenced.
For patients coping with vein disease diabetes osteoarthritis and other diseases that compromise the circulatory system leg ulcers represent a potentially serious risk that could lead to health complications.
Their management will depend on the diagnosis combining direct management of the ulcer.
Arterial ulcers are distinguishable from venous ulcers in that venous ulcers present with redness and edema swelling at the site of the ulcer and may be painless.
What is the research question.
Does the choice of topical agents creams or ointments or wound dressings affect the healing of arterial leg ulcers.
Thorough wound assessment will enhance diagnosis improve patient outcomes and reduce cost.
Wound care continues to cost the nhs substantial sums of money.
This will be more effective than any change of dressing for an arterial ulcer.