Dysfunction of lower extremity arteries or veins may lead to the development of chronic, non-healing wounds. These sores may be related to lack of blood flow or venous insufficiency.Treatment of these wounds may be relatively simple or quite complex, depending on the underlying cause of the wound.

We’ll conduct a full physical exam, and usually, additional non-invasive tests.  Some patients may require surgery or interventional procedures.

Wound care also includes regular visits to our office for topical dressings to treat the wounds.

Venous Wounds

Progressive damage to the venous system causes valve failure and blood pooling in the leg veins.

This leads to feelings of heaviness and fatigue, and in more severe cases can result in severe leg edema and leg ulceration.

Venous leg ulceration is a complex problem, but proper treatment can offer excellent results. For venous wounds, compression therapy is often prescribed.

Arterial Wounds

Some wounds won’t heal because there is decreased arterial blood flow to the area. A common contributor to this condition is atherosclerosis, a gradual clogging of the arteries.

For arterial wounds, interventional or surgical procedures may be needed.

Diabetic Wounds

Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of feeling in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time. Neuropathy is a common cause of foot ulcers.

People with diabetes have poor blood circulation, which means the body is slower to heal wounds. Vascular disease can complicate a diabetic foot ulcer, reducing the body’s ability to heal even further and increasing the risk for an infection.

For diabetic wounds, dressings and medications are usually needed.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew McBee, an experienced vascular doctor in Hampton Roads, Virginia, call Commonwealth Vascular today at 757-539-7824 or request an appointment online.