What is an Ulcer?

An ulcer is an area of damage to the skin, often occurring on the legs and feet. If it does not heal quickly, it may require the care of a vascular surgeon. The most common causes of ulcers are inadequate blood supply (peripheral vascular disease) or inadequate blood drainage (chronic venous disease). Sometimes, it can be a combination of both.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type of ulcer:

• They can be painful or painless
• Infected with pus
• Surrounded by red, inflamed skin
• Can be quite deep

Treatment Options

Treatment is aimed at fixing the cause of the ulcer. A venous ulcer will usually require compression and treatment of any varicose veins. Arterial ulcers may require angioplasty and/or stenting. Sometimes ulcers themselves require surgery, such as debridement (cleaning up) and/or skin grafting.