ulcers

Question 1

what does a venous ulcer look like?

Answer 1

1. shallow and irregular borders
2. medial malleolus
3. painless
4. features of venous insufficiency - varicose eczema/thrombophlebitis/haemosiderin etc

Question 2

what causes venous ulcers?

Answer 2

venous insufficiency - varicose veins, impaired venous return

Question 3

Ix

Answer 3

1. duplex ultrasound scan
2. ABPI
3. swab cultures

Question 4

Conservative mx

Answer 4

1. leg elevation
2. increased exercise
3. lifestyle changes - weight loss

Question 5

medical mx

Answer 5

1. multicomponent compression bandaging

2. ABPI must be greater than 0.6 before bandagingg is applied