What are Venous Ulcers?

Dr. Warren has been in private practice doing phlebology since 1999. Phlebology is the branch of medicine that deals with the care of vein disease. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Phlebology and is located in Palm Desert between El Paseo and Deep Canyon on the south side of Highway 111. She has performed thousands of minimally invasive vein procedures and has been a trainer of other physicians in all aspects of these procedures.

Ulcers, often painful, are wounds usually located by the ankles that are caused by abnormal pressure from diseased veins that cannot adequately transport blood back to the heart. Venous reflux is found in deep venous insufficiency or superficial venous insufficiency. They are the major causes of chronic wounds occurring in 70 – 90 percent of patients with chronic wounds. If an ulcer is part or completely due to superficial venous insufficiency, treating the underlying superficial venous insufficiency can reduce the pressure and cure the ulcer. This can also prevent recurrences. Other treatments include frequent wound cleansing, anti-inflammatory medication and wound dressings.