Leg ulcers – course and prognosis

What should the patient pay attention to?

Without the support of those affected, any therapy is doomed to failure.

Venous and arterial leg ulcers

Compression therapy is effective for venous leg ulcers only if used regularly and if the calf muscles are activated by repeated walking. Sitting or standing in the same position for a long time is poison for the veins, as is sitting with your legs crossed. On the other hand, they are happy with the regular elevation of the legs. By the way, What has been said also applies when the ulcer has healed – otherwise, it will come back quickly!

Eliminating risk factors is the best therapy for arterial ulcers: stop smoking, reduce excess weight, and keep blood sugar and lipids within the normal range. Appropriate, comfortable footwear is essential to avoiding injuries when caring for your feet and nails. Diabetics, in particular, whose pain sensitivity is often limited, should regularly check their legs and feet for skin changes – early therapy prevents lengthy treatment!

What is the course and prognosis?

With adequate therapy and patient compliance, most ulcers heal within months. If there is no improvement within three months or healing within a year, even with optimal treatment, this is referred to as a “therapy-resistant” leg ulcer. Then, a rarer cause of the ulcer must be sought.

Arterial ulcers heal more slowly and longer than venous ones. In the worst case, there is a risk of amputation as a result of the circulatory disorder. Leg ulcers tend to recur, so follow-up care is also essential.