Medically reviewed by Swapna Anandan, MD, on October 24, 2025
Inside our legs is the body’s busiest transit system: efficient, unseen, and easy to take for granted, until the traffic backs up and the system begins to fail. Beneath the skin of our legs lies a network of veins, vessels, and valves that work together to push blood against one of the strongest forces on planet Earth, gravity, to transport blood back to the heart.
When this elaborate system falters, circulation slows, pressure builds, and the skin begins to change. Over time, that hidden problem can surface dramatically as an open wound called a venous stasis ulcer.
For this blog, we consulted vein expert Dr.Swapna Anandan, lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration in Bloomfield, Connecticut. We’ll explain what venous stasis ulcers are, why they happen, and what you can do about them, so you can take control of your vein health and prevent small skin changes from turning into serious wounds.
📅Schedule a consultation with Dr. Anandan in Bloomfield, CT: BOOK ONLINE HERE.
📞Prefer to talk to a Patient Services Representative first? Call 240-965-3915
A venous stasis ulcer, sometimes called a venous leg ulcer or stasis ulcer, is a slow-healing sore that develops most often on the lower leg, typically near the ankle. Venous ulcers are frustratingly slow to heal and prone to infection if not treated properly. They are a sign of deeper vein disease that requires expert care to heal properly and prevent complications.
The American Family Physician Journal (AFP) defines venous ulcers as open skin lesions that occur in an area affected by venous hypertension*. These ulcers form when poor blood flow causes pressure to build inside the veins, damaging skin tissue and preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the area.
Venous ulcers are the most common type of chronic lower extremity ulcers, affecting between one and four percent of the U.S. population (approximately 10 million adults), according to the National Library of Medicine (NIH).
*Venous hypertension is persistent high pressure that stretches vein walls and forces fluid and blood cells to leak into surrounding tissues.
Healthy veins rely on small, one-way valves that keep blood flowing upward. When these valves become weak or damaged, it results in a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), where blood flows backward and pools in the lower legs. This backward flow, or venous reflux, increases pressure inside the veins, causing swelling, inflammation, and damage to surrounding tissue.
Over time, that constant pressure starves the skin of oxygen and nutrients, leading to the breakdown that results in a venous ulcer. These wounds are painful, frustratingly slow to heal, and prone to infection if not treated properly.
If you’ve noticed leg swelling, discoloration, or a wound that won’t heal, don’t wait for it to get worse. Schedule a consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein specialist today and take the first step toward restoring your comfort, confidence, and circulation.
According to the American Family Physician Journal, 10 to 35 percent of adults in the United States have chronic venous insufficiency (approximately 33 to 117 million Americans).
Several factors make venous stasis ulcers more likely:
These risk factors overlap with those for vein disease in general, and they remind us that leg pain, swelling, or skin changes should never be ignored.
Don’t become a statistic! Venous disease is progressive, but also highly treatable when caught early. Schedule a consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration vein specialist to identify your risks, protect your circulation, and prevent future complications like leg swelling, varicose veins, and venous ulcers before they start.
Early warning signs often appear before an ulcer forms. You might notice:
According to the Cleveland Clinic, an ulcer usually appears as a shallow, irregularly shaped wound with red or yellow tissue at the base. It may ooze fluid or crust over and, if infected, have a distinct odor. Pain levels vary, with some ulcers aching constantly, while others cause little pain until infection sets in.
Venous stasis ulcers rarely heal on their own. Without professional treatment, the wound can deepen, become infected, and recur repeatedly. Each recurrence damages more skin and tissue, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. Chronic wounds like these can limit mobility, disrupt sleep, and significantly reduce quality of life.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the economic and emotional burden of chronic leg ulcers remains substantial. Still, new evidence shows that early and targeted vein treatment greatly improves outcomes and alleviates financial burden on the patient.
The good news is that modern vein treatment has advanced dramatically and is no longer your “grandmother's vein care.” Treatment focuses on healing the ulcer and correcting the underlying vein problem to prevent it from coming back in a comfortable office setting.
Step 1: Wound Care and Infection Prevention
Daily cleaning, specialized dressings, and infection control are essential. Ulcers heal best when the wound bed is moist but not wet. If an infection is suspected, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Step 2: Compression Therapy
Compression stockings or bandages are the foundation of venous ulcer care. They gently squeeze the legs, improving circulation and reducing swelling. Most experts, including those at Mayo Clinic, recommend long-term or even lifelong use for those prone to recurrence.
Step 3: Addressing the Problem Veins
To prevent new ulcers, the damaged veins causing reflux must be treated. Vein treatment options include:
These minimally invasive, outpatient procedures have largely replaced the older surgical “vein stripping” technique, offering faster recovery and higher success rates. Patients return to their daily routine immediately, with few restrictions.
Step 4: Early Intervention Makes a Difference
A landmark clinical trial known as Early Venous Reflux Ablation (EVRA), as reported by the National Library of Medicine (NIH), found that treating underlying vein reflux early, within weeks of ulcer diagnosis, resulted in faster healing and fewer recurrences than delaying treatment.
The takeaway: don’t wait! Early referral to a qualified vein center leads to better, longer-lasting outcomes.
Even after successful healing, maintaining healthy circulation is key to preventing recurrence:
If you have a history of varicose veins, vein disease, or leg swelling, ongoing care with a board-certified Center for Vein Restoration vein doctor can help you avoid future ulcers and preserve your leg health and mobility.
Trust the Vein Experts at Center for Vein Restoration for Lasting Relief
A nonhealing wound or darkening skin on your leg could be a warning sign of vein disease. At Center for Vein Restoration, our board-certified vein specialists use advanced, minimally invasive treatments to restore circulation and prevent long-term complications. Schedule your consultation today, because early care leads to faster healing and lasting relief.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
What causes venous stasis ulcers?
Venous stasis ulcers form when damaged or weakened vein valves allow blood to flow backward and pool in the lower legs, a condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). This increased venous pressure, known as venous hypertension, reduces oxygen delivery to the skin, eventually leading to open wounds that heal slowly and often recur.
What do venous stasis ulcers look and feel like?
A venous ulcer usually appears as a shallow, irregularly shaped sore near the ankle surrounded by darkened, hardened, or inflamed skin. Ulcers may ooze fluid, have a red or yellow base, and cause aching, itching, or swelling that worsens after long periods of standing.
How are venous stasis ulcers treated?
Effective treatment addresses both the wound itself and the underlying vein problem. Care typically includes:
Treating the diseased veins is critical to preventing recurrence. Wound care alone is not enough.
Why?
Because effective treatment addresses both the wound itself and the underlying vein problem. Care often includes wound cleaning and infection prevention, compression therapy, and minimally invasive procedures such as endovenous ablation, sclerotherapy, VenaSeal, or ambulatory phlebectomy. These outpatient treatments help restore healthy circulation and prevent future ulcers.
When should I see a vein specialist about a leg ulcer?
If you’ve had a sore that hasn’t healed after two weeks, or if your leg skin is darkening, thickening, or showing signs of breakdown, it’s time to see a vein specialist. Early evaluation can promote faster healing and lower your risk of recurrence with today’s advanced, minimally invasive treatments.
*Reference
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