Venous Stasis Ulcers
Please keep in mind when you are reading the literature in the links
listed below that our Compression Pumps are:
- A patient friendly home therapy device
- Recognized and reimbursed by Medicare and most medical insurance
carriers
- Recognized by the American Cancer Society and the National
Cancer Institute
- Safe and reliable - have a long history in providing an effective
treatment
Venous stasis, the cessation or impairment of venous flow, and the
accompanying ulceration is a commonly occurring problem. Management
of this condition presents a large problem to community nursing services
and consumes considerable health resources.
Venous stasis ulceration occurs as an end result of sustained high
pressure in the veins of lower extremities. Damage to either the
deep or superficial veins then results. As the venous pressure rises
and venous stasis occurs, capillaries are stretched and become more
permeable. The protein leaks out of the vascular bed into the surrounding
tissues. Fibrinogen is converted to fibrin and coats the capillaries,
interfering with the exchange of oxygen and nutrients. Tissue breakdown
begins and venous ulceration occurs.
Venous stasis leg ulcers are characteristically persistent and
slow to heal - making a multifaceted treatment protocol necessary.
Traditionally, many approaches have focused only on dressing systems
which are directed to the wound healing process itself, as opposed
to the underlying cause.
Treatment
Comprehensive care for patients with venous ulcers must include local
wound care and adequate compression therapy. Wound care protocol should
include the following:
- Debridement
- Skin care
- Infection control
- Revascularization
- Compression therapy
Ulcers should be cleaned with either peroxide, Dakin's
solution or potassium permanganate once per day. Bio-occlusive dressings
can be applied and changed every 2-7 days. These dressings promote
formation of good granulation tissue and rapid healing.
Compression therapy protocol should include the following:
- Medical Compression Stockings
- Pneumatic Compression Pump Therapy
In many cases, particularly in older patients, the
effective level of compression required is greater than that which
the patient can tolerate. Thus, an alternative approach is to include
a pneumatic compression pump in the protocol. The compression pump
reduces venous stasis by promoting venous blood flow and has been
shown to enhance fibrinolytic activity. Compression therapy must
continue after the ulcer is healed, often for the duration of the
patient's lifetime.
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