leg ulcers

Question 1

what are leg ulcers

Answer 1

wounds/breaks in skin that do not heal/heal slowly due to underlying pathology

Question 2

4 common types of skin ulcers

Answer 2

venous
arterial
diabetic
pressure

Question 3

pressure ulcers

Answer 3

due to prolonged pressure

reduced blood supply + localised ischaemia, reduced lymph drainage + deformation of tissues under skin

Question 4

risk assessment score for pressure ulcers

Answer 4

waterlow score

Question 5

features of arterial ulcer

Answer 5

toes
assoc w PAD - absent pulses, pallor, claudication 
small + deep
well defined border
pale 
painful, pain worse PM and leg elevated

Question 6

features of venous ulcers

Answer 6

gaiter area
chronic venous changes - hyperpigmentation , venous eczema 
larger + superficial 
ill-defined borded
more likely to bleed
less painful
pain helped w elevation

Question 7

Ix

Answer 7

ankle-brachial pressure index
blood rests (infection + comorbidities)
charcoal swabs
skin biopsy

Question 8

Mx arterial ulcers

Answer 8

surgical revascularisation

ulcer should heal rapidly once underlying arterial disease treated

Question 9

what should not be used in management of arterial ulcers

Answer 9

debridement + compression

Question 10

management of venous ulcers

Answer 10

wound care: cleaning, debridement, dressing
compression therapy
antibx for infection
analgesia