Leg & Foot Ulcers: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments & Prevention

Ulcers are wounds or open sores that will not heal or keep returning.

Leg & Foot Ulcers

What causes leg ulcers?

Leg ulcers may be caused by medical conditions such as:

Poor circulation, often caused by arteriosclerosis
Venous insufficiency (a failure of the valves in the veins of the leg that causes congestion and slowing of blood circulation in the veins)
Other disorders of clotting and circulation that may or may not be related to atherosclerosis
Diabetes
Renal (kidney) failure
Hypertension (treated or untreated)
Lymphedema (a buildup of fluid that causes swelling in the legs or feet)
Inflammatory diseases including vasculitis, lupus, scleroderma or other rheumatological conditions
Other medical conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, bowel disorders
History of smoking (either current or past)
Pressure caused by lying in one position for too long
Genetics (ulcers may be hereditary)
A malignancy (tumor or cancerous mass)
Infections
Certain medications

What are the types of leg and foot ulcers?

The three most common types of leg and foot ulcers include:

Venous stasis ulcers
Neurotrophic (diabetic)
Arterial (ischemic ulcers)

Ulcers are typically defined by the appearance of the ulcer, the ulcer location, and the way the borders and surrounding skin of the ulcer look.

Venous Stasis Ulcers

Location on body: Below the knee - primarily found on the inner part of the leg, just above the ankle. Ulcers may affect one or both legs.
Appearance:
- Base: Red in color and may be covered with yellow fibrous tissue. There may be a green or yellow discharge if the ulcer is infected. Fluid drainage can be significant.
- Borders: Usually irregularly shaped. The surrounding skin is often discolored and swollen. It may even feel warm or hot. The skin may appear shiny and tight, depending on the amount of edema (swelling).
Who is affected: Venous stasis ulcers are common in patients who have a history of leg swelling, varicose veins, or a history of blood clots in either the superficial or the deep veins of the legs. Venous ulcers affect 500,000 to 600,000 people in the United States every year and account for 80 to 90 percent of all leg ulcers.

Neurotrophic (diabetic) Ulcers

Location on body: Usually located at increased pressure points on the bottom of the feet. However, neurotrophic ulcers related to trauma can occur anywhere on the foot.
Appearance:
- Base: Variable, depending on the patient's circulation. It may appear pink/red or brown/ black.
- Borders: Punched out, while the surrounding skin is often calloused.
Who is affected: Neurotrophic ulcers occur primarily in people with diabetes, although they can affect anyone who has an impaired sensation of the feet.

Neuropathy and peripheral artery disease often occur together in people who have diabetes. Nerve damage (neuropathy) in the feet can result in a loss of foot sensation and changes in the sweat-producing glands, increasing the risk of being unaware of foot calluses or cracks, injury or risk of infection. Symptoms of neuropathy include tingling, numbness, burning or pain.

It is easy to understand why people with diabetes are more prone to foot ulcers than other patients. This is why people with diabetes need to inspect their feet daily and wear appropriate footwear. People with diabetes should never walk barefoot.

Arterial (ischemic) Ulcers

Location on body: On the feet - often on the heels, tips of toes, between the toes where the toes rub against one another or anywhere the bones may protrude and rub against bed sheets, socks or shoes. They also occur commonly in the nail bed if the toenail cuts into the skin or if the patient has had recent aggressive toe nail trimming or an ingrown toenail removed.
Appearance:
- Base: Has a yellow, brown, grey or black color and usually does not bleed.
- Borders: The borders and surrounding skin usually appear punched out. If irritation or infection are present, there may or may not be swelling and redness around the ulcer base. There may also be redness on the entire foot when the leg is dangled; this redness often turns to a pale white/yellow color when the leg is elevated. Arterial ulcers are typically very painful, especially at night. The patient may instinctively dangle his/her foot over the side of the bed to get pain relief.
Who is affected: The patient usually has prior knowledge of poor circulation in the legs and may have an accompanying disorder, such as those listed in the section, "What causes leg ulcers?"

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What are the symptoms of ulcers?

Ulcers may or may not be painful. The patient generally has a swollen leg and may feel burning or itching. There may also be a rash, redness, brown discoloration or dry, scaly skin.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How are leg ulcers diagnosed?

First, the patient's medical history is evaluated. A wound specialist will examine the wound thoroughly and may perform tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and noninvasive vascular studies to help develop a treatment plan.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

How are leg ulcers treated?

At Cleveland Clinic, patients are treated by a team of world-class experts in the Lower Extremity Wound Clinic in the Department of Vascular Medicine. This Clinic includes doctors, nurses and other medical specialists.

These experts work together to determine the cause of the ulcer and develop an individualized treatment program.

The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, speed recovery and heal the wound. Each patient's treatment plan is individualized, based on the patient's health, medical condition and ability to care for the wound.

Treatment options for all ulcers may include:

Antibiotics, if an infection is present
Anti-platelet or anti-clotting medications to prevent a blood clot
Topical wound care therapies
Compression garments
Prosthetics or orthotics, available to restore or enhance normal lifestyle function

Venous Ulcer Treatment

Venous ulcers are treated with compression of the leg to minimize edema or swelling. Compression treatments include wearing compression stockings, multi-layer compression wraps, or wrapping an ACE bandage or dressing from the toes or foot to the area below the knee. The type of compression treatment prescribed is determined by the physician, based on the characteristics of the ulcer base and amount of drainage from the ulcer.

The type of dressing prescribed for ulcers is determined by the type of ulcer and the appearance at the base of the ulcer. Types of dressings include:

Moist to moist dressings
Hydrogels/hydrocolloids
Alginate dressings
Collagen wound dressings
Debriding agents
Antimicrobial dressings
Composite dressings
Synthetic skin substitutes

Arterial Ulcer Treatment

Arterial ulcer treatments vary, depending on the severity of the arterial disease. Non-invasive vascular tests provide the physician with the diagnostic tools to assess the potential for wound healing. Depending on the patient's condition, the physician may recommend invasive testing, endovascular therapy or bypass surgery to restore circulation to the affected leg.

The goals for arterial ulcer treatment include:

Providing adequate protection of the surface of the skin
Preventing new ulcers
Removing contact irritation to the existing ulcer
Monitoring signs and symptoms of infection that may involve the soft tissues or bone

Treatment for neurotrophic ulcers includes avoiding pressure and weight-bearing on the affected leg. Regular debridement (the removal of infected tissue) is usually necessary before a neurotrophic ulcer can heal. Frequently, special shoes or orthotic devices must be worn.

Foot Care Guidelines

The treatment of all ulcers begins with careful skin and foot care. Inspecting your skin and feet is very important, especially for people with diabetes. Detecting and treating foot and skin sores early can help you prevent infection and prevent the sore from getting worse.

Gently wash the affected area on your leg and your feet every day with mild soap (Ivory Snow or Dreft) and lukewarm water. Washing helps loosen and remove dead skin and other debris or drainage from the ulcer. Gently and thoroughly dry your skin and feet, including between the toes. Do not rub your skin or area between the toes.

Every day, examine your legs as well as the tops and bottoms of your feet and the areas between your toes. Look for any blisters, cuts, cracks, scratches or other sores. Also check for redness, increased warmth, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses. Use a mirror to view the leg or foot if necessary, or have a family member look at the area for you.

Once or twice a day, apply a lanolin-based cream to your legs and the soles and top of your feet to prevent dry skin and cracking. Do not apply lotion between your toes or on areas where there is an open sore or cut. If the skin is extremely dry, use the moisturizing cream more often.

Care for your toenails regularly. Cut your toenails after bathing, when they are soft. Cut toenails straight across and smooth with a nail file.

If you have diabetes, it is important to see a podiatrist regularly.

Do not self-treat corns, calluses or other foot problems. Go to a podiatrist to treat these conditions.

Don't wait to treat a minor foot or skin problem. Follow your doctor's guidelines.

Wound Care at Home

Patients are given instructions to care for their wounds at home. These instructions include:

Keeping the wound clean and dry
Changing the dressing as directed
Taking prescribed medications as directed
Drinking plenty of fluid
Following a healthy diet, as recommended, including plenty of fruits and vegetables
Exercising regularly, as directed by a physician
Wearing appropriate shoes
Wearing compression wraps, if appropriate, as directed

PREVENTION

How can ulcers be prevented?

Controlling risk factors can help you prevent ulcers from developing or getting worse. Here are some ways to reduce your risk factors:

Quit smoking
Manage your blood pressure
Control your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels by making dietary changes and taking medications as prescribed
Limit your intake of sodium
Manage your diabetes and other health conditions, if applicable
Exercise – start a walking program after speaking with your doctor
Lose weight if you are overweight
Ask your doctor about aspirin therapy to prevent blood clots

RESOURCES

Doctors vary in quality due to differences in training and experience; hospitals differ in the number of services available. The more complex your medical problem, the greater these differences in quality become and the more they matter.

Clearly, the doctor and hospital that you choose for complex, specialized medical care will have a direct impact on how well you do. To help you make this choice, please review our Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Outcomes.

Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Vascular Medicine Specialists and Surgeons

Choosing a doctor to treat your vascular disease depends on where you are in your diagnosis and treatment. The following Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Sections and Departments treat patients with all types of vascular disease, including blood clotting disorders:

Section of Vascular Medicine: for evaluation, medical management or interventional procedures to treat vascular disease. In addition, the Non-Invasive Laboratory includes state-of-the art computerized imaging equipment to assist in diagnosing vascular disease, without added discomfort to the patient. Call Vascular Medicine Appointments, toll-free 800-223-2273, extension 44420 or request an appointment online.

Department of Vascular Surgery: surgery evaluation for surgical treatment of vascular disease, including aorta, peripheral artery, and venous disease. Call Vascular Surgery Appointments, toll-free 800-223-2273, extension 44508 or request an appointment online.

You may also use our MyConsult second opinion consultation using the Internet.

The Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute also has specialized centers and clinics to treat certain populations of patients:

Learn more about experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular and arterial disease.

See About Us to learn more about the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.

Contact

If you need more information, click here to contact us, chat online with a nurse or call the Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216.445.9288 or toll-free at 866.289.6911. We would be happy to help you.