Definition

An ulcus cruris is an “ulcer” or an open spot usually at the lower leg, often in the region of the inner or outer ankle. Causes can be years of varicose veins or a thrombosis that dates back years. An open leg can also be a complication of a prolonged diabetes or a disturbance of the arterial blood flow. That means that there is a need for a medical examination.

Symptoms

The open spot can be very small or a couple centimeters big. Often the ulcus cruris is weeping yellowy coated and reddened at the edge and/or very painful. The shorter the wound remains open, and the bigger it is, the more painful it is. The pain can also have an impact on walking.

Diagnosis

An open leg can be diagnosed at the first glance but the causes need to be diagnosed more explicitly.

The blood flow of the leg will be measured, the functioning of the veins will be checked and an ultrasound examination of the blood vessels will be done. In rare cases an additional X-ray is necessary. Many different diagnosis need to be considered, e.g. diabetes or a disease of the blood vessels from the different kinds of rheumatism.

Therapy

The most important principle of treatment is compression, the adequate pressure from the outside on the open spot and the surrounding area. A compression bandage will be applied repeatedly so that the leg from the foot to the knee is not dammed up anymore and the skin can grow back together. A special onlay is put directly on the ulcer that cleans and soaks up the fluids from the wound. The patient should walk with the compression bandage as much as possible. After the healing or the reduction of the open spot, the causes of it should be treated –if possible- so that an open spot will not occur again. Sometimes varicose veins are lasered or removed. An accompanying disturbance of the blood flow has to be treated with a widening of the arteries or an infusion therapy.