How can you tell the difference between a venous and arterial ulcer?

How can you tell the difference between a venous and arterial ulcer?

Arterial ulcers develop as the result of damage to the arteries due to lack of blood flow to tissue. Venous ulcers develop from damage to the veins caused by an insufficient return of blood back to the heart. Unlike other ulcers, these leg wounds can take months to heal, if they heal at all.

What does a venous ulcer look like?

Symptoms of Venous Ulcer Itchiness and tingling, red-colored skin. Signs of pooling blood, including dark red, purple, and brown spots with hardened skin. Skin surrounding the ulcers may be shiny, tight and warm, or hot to the touch. The borders of the ulcers may be unevenly shaped.

What do arterial wounds look like?

Arterial wounds typically have a “punched-out” look. They may be round in shape with well-defined margins — meaning the sore may be deeper in the skin than the surrounding area of healthy skin. In addition, you might have: There is little to no hair growth on the affected limb.

What are arterial leg ulcers?

An arterial ulcer is an ulcer due to inadequate blood supply to the affected area (ischaemia). Arterial ulcers tend to occur on the lower legs and feet, and may be acute, recurrent or chronic. Ulcers may have multiple contributing factors; these ‘mixed ulcers’ constitute roughly 15% of all leg ulcers.

How are arterial ulcers diagnosed?

Physical assessment should include both a general exam, looking for problems relating to lungs, heart and nervous system, and a focused exam of the affected extremities and arterial pulses. Vascular laboratory findings can also help confirm a diagnosis of arterial ischemic ulceration.

What do leg ulcers look like when they first start?

Venous leg ulcers are sores that develop between your knee and ankle, but they typically form inside the leg near or around the ankle. They are large, shallow ulcers with uneven edges that drain or weep a lot. You’ll likely see swelling in your leg, with red, itchy skin around the wound.

What are the first signs of a leg ulcer?

Symptoms of leg ulcers

• open sores.
• pus in the affected area.
• pain in the affected area.
• increasing wound size.
• leg swelling.
• enlarged veins.
• generalized pain or heaviness in the legs.

Where do venous ulcers most commonly occur?

Causes of venous ulcers Venous ulcers most often form around the ankles. Venous ulcers typically occur because of damage to the valves inside the leg veins. These valves control the blood pressure inside the veins.

Are arterial ulcers considered stasis ulcers?

Three (3) of these ulcer types are exclusively lower-extremity wounds located on the foot, ankle and lower leg: venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers, and diabetic neuropathic ulcers. Venous stasis ulcers, caused by venous insufficiency, account for approximately 75% of lower extremity ulcerations.

Do arterial ulcers have exudate?

The ulcers most often present fairly deep with well demarcated edges and even in shape. The wound beds initially are necrotic with minimal exudate and as they are debrided generally reveal a pale wound base.

How is an arterial ulcer treated?

Treatment of arterial ulcers may involve surgical intervention for angioplasty, stenting, bypass grafting and, ultimately, amputation. Pain control is an important aspect of the management of arterial ulcers. Adequate analgesia is required to manage the severe ischaemic pain often experienced with arterial ulcers.

What are the characteristics of an arterial ulcer?

Arterial ulcers are characterized by a punched-out look, usually round in shape, with well-defined, even wound margins. Arterial ulcers are often found between or on the tips of the toes, on the heels, on the outer ankle, or where there is pressure from walking or footwear.

What is the best treatment for venous ulcers?

If your ulcer is infected by bacteria, you’ll probably be given antibiotics to kill the infection. You might also be given a moist dressing to put over the ulcer to help it heal more quickly. In some cases, your doctor might recommend surgery to improve the circulation in your legs.

What are symptoms of venous ulcer?

The symptoms of a venous leg ulcer include pain, itching and swelling in the affected leg. There may also be discoloured or hardened skin around the ulcer, and the sore may produce a foul-smelling discharge. See your GP if you think you have a leg ulcer, as it will need specialist treatment to help it heal.

What is the treatment for arterial ulcers?

Topical antiseptics and topical antibiotics have been shown to slow the rate of wound healing despite their bactericidal properties and are not recommended. An arterial ulcer can be repaired by skin grafting (where a thin piece of skin is taken from another site, usually the upper thigh, and placed over the wound).

What is the difference between venous and arterial wounds?

There are distinct differences between arterial and venous ulcers depending on their cause, location, pain, and severity. Among them, the key difference between arterial and venous ulcers is their cause. Arterial ulcers are due to ischemia while venous ulcers are due to stagnation of blood under pressure.