Will My Leg Ulcers Heal?

Leg ulcers will affect an estimated 1-2% of the population in the UK develop at some point in their lives and many of these will be associated with arterial and venous disease, such varicose veins.

The main course of treatment is bandaging and patients might hope that this will resolve the problem after healing. However, statistics indicate that venous leg ulcers can take a very long time to heal:

• 50% heal within 4 months
• 20% take 4-12 months to heal
• 20% heal within 2 years
• Around 8% do not heal even after five years

What’s more, even after healing, leg ulcers have a very high recurrence rate, estimated to be between 26% and 69%:

• 26% come back within 12 months
• 31% recur within 18 months

Sources: Franks et al, 1995; Effective Health Care Bulletin, 1997; Margolis and Kantor, 2000; Barwell et al, 2004; Nemeth et al, 2004; Morris and Sander, 2007

Venous Ulcer Root Cause

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) Guidelines focus on compression bandages/stockings as well as educating the patient about leg ulcers and self-care strategies such as a more active lifestyle, resting and elevating the legs, appropriate footwear.

However, patients who want a fuller solution to their leg ulcers may consider treating the underlying cause (e.g. varicose veins) rather than the symptoms (i.e. ulcers).

Varicose vein removal is potentially a solution for many troublesome leg ulcers, as it gets to the root of the problem. The treatment works to destroy the inefficient varicose veins and improving the blood flow to the area through other healthier veins, allowing the skin and ulcers to move forward with healing and recovery.

Unfortunately, the NHS is restricted to a small number of very severe cases of varicose veins, due to budgets and funding issues which have resulted in very narrow criteria for patient eligibility.

However, the latest advanced laser and chemical treatment options are available at Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centres for patients who are keen to get rid of varicose veins and willing to ‘go private’ in order to get a solution for the problem.

Options include:

• ClariVein® treatment, where a mechanical action causes the vein to spasm and then a special chemical is delivered to seal the vein
• EVLA treatment uses a laser to destroy the veins which are then broken down by the body’s metabolic processes
• Foam sclerotherapy uses a chemical to get rid of smaller varicose and larger thread veins
• Micro surgery is also available. This may be used alongside other treatments, removing the troublesome veins to minimise risk recurrence

Treatment is offered on a ‘walk in walk out’ basis with no overnight stay as only local anaesthetic is required.  The downtime and recovery are minimal and success rates are high with EVLA recording over 95% success rate.

London Vein Treatment Centre

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private treatment for thread veins  and varicose veins at their London Vein Treatment Centre. They also offer varicose vein ultrasound scanning for proper diagnosis of any ‘underlying’ vein problems.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.