Patient Information

What are Venous Stasis Ulcers?

Venous stasis ulceration occurs as an end result of sustained high pressure in the veins of lower extremities. Damage to either the deep or superficial veins then results. As the venous pressure rises and venous stasis occurs, capillaries are stretched and become more permeable. The protein leaks out of the vascular bed into the surrounding tissues. Fibrinogen is converted to fibrin and coats the capillaries, interfering with the exchange of oxygen and nutrients. Tissue breakdown begins and venous ulceration occurs.

Venous stasis leg ulcers are characteristically persistent and slow to heal - making a multifaceted treatment protocol necessary. Traditionally, many approaches have focused only on dressing systems which are directed to the wound healing process itself, as opposed to the underlying cause.