Leg Ulcer
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Diabetic Foot and Wound Center
Wound Care Specialists & Podiatrists located in Bakersfield, CA
If you have poor circulation or a chronic health problem like heart disease, you’re at risk of developing a leg ulcer. Without prompt intervention, a leg ulcer can become infected, requiring surgical intervention or amputation. At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center in Bakersfield, California and the wound care specialist team have years of experience diagnosing and treating leg ulcers. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book a consultation online today. Walk-ins are also welcome seven days a week.
Leg Ulcer Q & A
What is a leg ulcer?
A leg ulcer is an open, non-healing wound that occurs due to poor circulation or an underlying health problem. Ulcers can occur anywhere on your legs, but they’re especially common below the knees, near the calves or ankles.
If you develop a leg ulcer, it’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Without proper care, leg ulcers may recur, increasing your risk of infection, gangrene, and other more serious problems. That’s why Diabetic Foot and Wound Center offers care seven days a week and welcomes walk-in patients.
What causes leg ulcers?
Leg ulcers usually run in families, so if your parents or grandparents had them, you’re also at risk. Other common causes of leg ulcers include:
- Venous insufficiency
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Infections
- Varicose veins
You’re also more likely to experience a leg ulcer if you smoke.
What are the symptoms of a leg ulcer?
Many people with leg ulcers experience pain and discomfort. If you have permanent nerve damage (neuropathy), it’s important to look out for other symptoms, such as:
- Open sores
- Pus oozing from the wound
- Increasing wound size
- Leg swelling
- Enlarged veins
As your leg ulcer grows in size or severity, you might also experience a sensation of heaviness when standing or walking.
How is a leg ulcer diagnosed?
To diagnose a leg ulcer, your provider at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and conducts a physical exam. Usually, visual observation is enough to differentiate between a leg ulcer and a regular sore.
Your provider also orders diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause. Depending on your symptoms, they might recommend a CT scan, MRI, X-rays, or a noninvasive vascular study using ultrasound.
How is a leg ulcer treated?
At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, the team offers a variety of treatments to manage leg ulcers. Ultimately, their goal is to relieve pain, prevent infection, and stop the wound from getting larger.
If you have a mild or moderate wound, you might benefit from MIST® Therapy, advanced biologics, or compression bandages. If you have a severe wound and it’s at risk of infection, your provider might recommend wound debridement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or total contact cast (TCC) offloading.
The team might also prescribe pentoxifylline to improve circulation throughout your lower extremities. Other treatments that can address leg ulcers include vascular stenting, laser atherectomy, and laser thrombectomy.
Don’t let a leg ulcer negatively affect your quality of life. Schedule an appointment at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center today. Call the office, book a consultation online, or walk-in for immediate care.