Assessing and dressing ulcers

Venous ulcers are the most common form of leg ulceration accounting for 60 to 80 per cent of all cases.¹ They are caused by incompetent valves in the venous system which leads to oedema and pooling of blood in the lower limbs, and causes venous hypertension. If the patient is exposed to this for prolonged periods of time, changes in the skin and ulceration can result.

Treating leg ulceration is complex, time consuming and costly.^2-4 The prevalence of leg ulceration has not decreased since the 1980s and the incidence rises with age: an estimated one in 50 people over the age of 80 experience an ulcer.^4,5 A good level of knowledge around managing leg ulcers is required to successfully deal with this common problem.