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Leg Ulcers - Coggle Diagram
Leg Ulcers
Biology
Arterial ulcers present when the wall of the arteries in the legs have plaque build up (atherosclerosis) this leads to hard thick artery walls which create a decrease in blood flow. The decreased blood flow damages the skin and a ulcer forms.
Venous ulcers are caused when the valves of the veins within the legs become week. The valves are unable to close properly and blood is not being pushed towards the heart adequately. This causes blood to pool and leak into surrounding spaces causing the skin to become weak.
Idenifying leg ulcers through an ankle pressure brachial index (APBI) this is where the brachial blood pressure is compared to the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial blood pressures on both sides. The lower limb reading is divided by the brachial to calculate the APBI. Contraindications are <0.8 and >1.2.
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Prevention
Exercise at least three times per week, this encourages the calf muscles to push pooling blood back to the heart.
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Treatment
Venous leg ulcer
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Rest with legs elevated above the heart, avoid standing or sitting for to long.
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Lifestyle changes- quitting smoking, reducing high fat diet, increasing exercise.
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