Dr K K Pandey
drpandeykk@gmail.com
Often in our country, we will find some acquaintance or relative or friend complaining about troubles related to foot ulcers. The problem of foot ulcer or wound is so prevalent that 10% of the population of our country suffers from some or the other problem of foot ulcers.
People suffering from foot ulcers is that they keep visiting quacks, exorcists and faith healers for months or years and this process of trying new so-called wonderful strange remedies or different types of ointments and concoctions suggested by neighbours, friends or family members on the wounds continues, but the problem remains as it is. Far from getting cured, the wound becomes more serious and incurable and finally the situation of amputation of the leg arises.
Disease of veins is the main cause of ulcers in the legs
In our country, 80% of the wounds in the legs are caused by disease of veins i.e.,blood pipes that carry impure blood (deoxygenated blood). The remaining ten percent of foot wounds have other causes like diabetes etc. The job of these veins is to carry impure blood from the feet to the heart and lungs where it is purified by adding oxygen to this impure blood. After which, this oxygenated pure blood is again supplied to all the body parts and the feet. This process continues regularly without interruptions.
C.V.I. disease of veins is a major cause of foot wounds
When the valves located inside the veins become weak or damaged, the process of oxygen-free impure blood moving upwards towards heart becomes sluggish. The result of this is that the major chunk of impure blood instead of moving upwards starts collecting in the lower part of the leg. When the amount of collected impure blood goes beyond a certain limit, then this blood starts leaking out of the vein and the colour of the skin of the feet starts turning dark and swelling also occurs. And in this delicate condition, if treatment is not done on time, then it will not take long for ulcers and wounds to appear on the feet.
Blockage in leg veins is the second major reason
When there is a narrowing or blockage in the veins due to some reason, the flow of impure blood in the veins of the leg is obstructed and this blood is not able to reach towards the heart. The biggest reason for the blockage is the deposition of blood clots inside the veins. If this blood clot is not removed, the leg starts swelling and sooner or later an ulcer in foot is sure to form. There are two major reasons for the accumulation of blood clots in the leg veins. One is injury to the leg in a road accident, mainly bone fracture or muscle injury. The second major reason is obesity, lack of exercise and the habit of not walking. The third major reason is the pressure of the uterus on the abdominal veins in pregnant women during pregnancy.
Varicose veins on legs are also a major cause of wounds
If you have spider-like or earthworm-like blue veins in your legs and you sit in front of the computer in the office or in front of the television set at home for hours every day, then you should be knowing that wounds are bound to appear on your legs sooner or later. Therefore, as soon as you see blue veins on your legs, immediately contact a vascular surgeon and get proper treatment from him so that wounds can be prevented from developing. These raised blue veins on the legs are called varicose veins. If proper changes in the daily routine, necessary exercises and correct advice are not taken, then it will not take long for ulcers to develop on the legs. The wounds that develop due to varicose veins are called varicose ulcers in medical language.
Injury to the blood vessel in a road accident is also a reason
It is often seen that after a road accident, the legs get injured and wounds form. It often happens that thebroken bone of leg sustained in an accident eventually joins, but the wound does not heal. One of the main reasons for non-healingfoot wounds after an injury is uncontrolled infection and the other is damage to the veins of the legs or accumulation of blood clots in them. Due to which impure deoxygenated blood keeps accumulating in the lower part of the legs and hinders the healing of the wound. Therefore, if the wound is not healing after an accident, do not sit idle and consult an experienced vascular surgeon and get treatment under his supervision.
What to do in case of a foot wound or ulcer?
If you are suffering from non-healing wounds on the legs, then you should go to such hospitals where there are facilities for CT Venography, Angiography and MRI. Also ensure whether these hospitals have a department of vascular surgery or not and whether a vascular surgeon is available 24 hours a day or not. Keeping these important things in mind, choose the right hospital for your right treatment, otherwise the treatment will be just a formality and the wound will remain as it is or will get worse. Laser technology and RFA technology also play a very important role in wound and ulcer treatment. Nowadays, venous angioplasty and stenting are also used to heal wounds. Therefore, I would request you to go to the right hospital and an experienced vascular surgeon, only then you will be able to get relief fromnon-healing foot ulcers and leg wounds.
(The author is Senior Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi)
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