Venous ulcers

• Where are venous ulcers typically found?


  Above medial malleolus
• What are some signs and symptoms of venous ulcers?


  Foul smelling discharge

  Pain/itching/swelling in affected leg

  Discoloured/hardened skin around ulcer
• What are some risk factors fro venous ulcers?


  Obesity

  Immobility

  Previous ulcers

  Prolonged standing
• What bedside investigations are done for non-healing venous ulcers?

  ABPI - assess poor arterial flow
• What is a normal ABPI?


  0.9-1.2
• How are venous ulcers managed conservatively?

  Compression bandaging (4 layers)
• How are venous ulcers managed pharmacologically?


  Flavinoids

  Oral pentocifylline - improves healing rate
• What is pentocifylline?


  Peripheral vasodilator