Expert ADVICE
Treating Varicose Veins, Venous Ulcers, and Wound Care Issues
DR. JOSEPH M. SMITH
Center for Venous Disease 490-B West Zia Rd., Suite #1 505.995.8346 VeinScreening.com
P
eople with varicose veins and other related symptoms suffer from chronic venous disease, which occurs when blood pools in the lower extremities and gives rise to varicose veins. Those with long-standing venous insufficiency and varicose veins are at risk to develop venous stasis ulcers. These progressive ulcers most commonly occur on the inner or outer lower leg just above or at the ankle, and are an ulceration of the skin. They are commonly irregular in shape and are often painful. Early treatment is the best answer from both a cost standpoint and for the best outcome.
stage of venous disease. If a venous stasis ulcer gets secondarily infected, it can result in incapacitation and usually requires intensive wound-care, high outof-pocket cost to the patient, and multiple procedures to treat. If you have varicose veins, swelling of the limbs, heaviness, fatigue, aching, throbbing or any other symptoms associated with venous insufficiency, it is paramount to get an evaluation with an ultrasound exam. Ideally, an ulcer can be stopped before it forms. Once it forms, however, it must be treated in the majority of cases with intensive wound care and even procedural intervention. Additionally, patients are at high-risk for a recurrence. It’s much better to prevent the ulcer from happening in the first place.
How does venous insufficiency morph into a venous stasis ulcer? The ulcers typically take years to develop, and are often ignored until they become a real problem. People often come in with a venous stasis ulcer they thought was a bite or bruise to begin with until it never went away.
Walking regularly, using external graduated compression stockings, and elevating the limb are all helpful but not necessarily preventative techniques to stopping venous stasis ulcers from forming. Though the condition can be hereditary, it depends on the degree of venous insufficiency and how long it’s been there. Ignoring it is the worst case scenario.
Due to venous hypertension—the faulty valves inside the veins—it’s the end-
Procedures for treating venous stasis ulcers vary from skin grafts to catheters
that ablate the veins using radio-frequency technology (ClosureFast™ Endovenous Catheter). This causes permanent scarring of the superficial veins that are leaking. It takes the pressure off the ulcer and, with ongoing wound care, will heal in the majority of cases. Many ulcer patients have visited other doctors or have ongoing wound care treatments. A specialist with training in total vein care, venous ulcers, and wound care is your best option. Roughly 80 million people in the United States suffer from venous insufficiency, and about one to three percent of those develop venous stasis ulcers. However, that’s still hundreds of thousands of people a year afflicted with these ulcers. Don’t ignore what you might think is a sore, bruise or bite that doesn’t go away. Early intervention is key to a great outcome. Dr. Joseph M. Smith at the Center for Venous Diseases has the expertise to aid and abet venous insufficiency and venous stasis ulcers. A general surgeon by trade, he’s been practicing vein surgery his entire career, beginning in 1982. He opened his state-of-the-art practice in 2006 to devote himself completely to vein care. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a diplomat of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine.