Wound Care Management for Venous Ulcers

This chapter discusses the evaluation and management of venous ulcers. Successful treatment of venous ulcers depends upon following essential steps as based on current evidence in order to maximize success. These steps include confirming adequate arterial perfusion, eliminating edema, treating infection and biofilm, addressing venous reflux, alleviating venous obstruction, and reducing the impact of host risk factors and comorbidities. Such factors as reduction in obesity, improvement in calf muscle pump dysfunction, elimination of smoking, reduction of standing, and maximizing nutrition remain paramount to healing. Comprehensive wound centers may be better poised to offer this care in a coordinated fashion that helps incorporate a more patient-centric approach.