Injuries - Diabetic Ulcer
 A
leg ulcer is a wound on the lower leg that does not to heal. It appears as shallow holes or
craters in the leg which can vary in colour, size and depth. They may be extremely painful and
in some cases give off an unpleasant smell. These are the most common types of leg ulcers:
Venous ulcers
Venous Ulcers are the most common. They usually occur halfway up the calf and down to just below
the ankle and lead to legs which are swollen and tender to touch. The skin might feel dry and
itchy and have mottled brown or black staining. The legs may become painful when sitting down.
Certain conditions are also linked with the development of venous leg ulcers including:
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High Blood Pressure |
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Varicose Veins |
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Phlebitis |
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Fractures or Injuries |
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Multiple Pregnancies |
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Sitting or standing for long periods |
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Previous Surgery |
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Obesity |
Arterial Ulcers
Arterial Ulcers are the result of arterial disease and usually to occur on the foot and lower
part of the leg. The foot may be pale or appear a dusky red colour and will feel cold and
painful, particularly at night in bed. The pain can often be relieved when the legs are lowered.
Certain conditions are also linked with the development of arterial ulcers.
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Smoking |
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A high fat/cholesterol diet |
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High blood pressure |
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Stress |
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A history of heart disease |
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Obesity |
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Diabetes |
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Rheumatoid arthritis |
Diabetic ulcers
Diabetic Ulcers are the result of diabetes. This is because atherosclerosis is much more likely
to occur with diabetes. Diabetic ulcers are more common on the foot. Diabetic ulcers may occur
in these circumstances:
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Poor dietary control of the diabetes |
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Not taking the correct medication |
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Smoking |
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Badly fitting shoes |
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Poor care of the feet |
Treatment
When you see your doctor or nurse you will be examined and
assessed because the treatment for venous and arterial ulcers is different and the doctor or
nurse must be sure what type of ulcer you have. Treatment will include dressings to the wound.
Ideally a dressing will be selected to help heal the ulcer. External pressure on the leg helps
to heal the ulcer by increasing the calf muscle pump action and reducing swelling in the leg.
Avoidance of weight bearing whenever possible is the the best way
to achieve rapid healing. Avoidance of weight bearing is obtained with most certainty by
complete bed rest, but this is often not practicable. As an alternative, walking with crutches
to avoid weight bearing on the ulcer area is often a poor substitute because it is difficult for
the patient not to occasionally put weight on the affected foot, and it also often results in
excessive pressure being placed on the unaffected foot.
The Orthopaedic Leg Trolley also has the added advantage that it
can be used as a foot rest to support the foot when sitting, and it is possible to place the
foot in such a way as to avoid heel pressure when a heel ulcer is present.
If you would like further details on the Orthopaedic Leg Trolley
please contact us.
I suffer from a
diabetic ulcer on the ball of my foot by my right big toe, which had become infected: K9 is
the ideal method of motivation for me to keep my right foot away from contact with the
ground. I have used it and have had admiring and interested comments from the Podiatry
Department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, and from the Diabetic Foot Clinic
at King's College Hospital, London, to both of whom I have supplied copies of your leaflets.
R B Moore |
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