Venous leg ulcers
Open sores on the lower leg that keep coming back.
Shallow, weepy wounds around the ankle or lower leg — often with swelling — usually come from veins that aren’t moving blood back up the leg well. They’re common, they’re treatable, and the key is compression done right.
When leg veins weaken, blood pools in the lower leg. Over time that pressure stretches the skin, causes swelling and discoloration, and eventually opens into a wound — most often just above the ankle. These ulcers can linger for months when the underlying swelling isn’t controlled.
The single most important treatment is graduated compression to move fluid out of the leg, paired with proper wound care. Our clinicians handle both, and help you keep the swelling down so the wound stays closed once it heals.
Signs to watch for
- A shallow, moist wound near the ankle or lower leg
- Ongoing swelling in one or both lower legs
- Aching, heaviness, or itching in the legs
- Brown or reddish skin staining around the ankle
- Hardened or leathery skin near a healed-then-reopened spot
What care looks like
How we help this heal.
We assess
We assess the wound and the leg, and check circulation to make sure compression is safe for you.
We treat
We apply compression — wraps or garments — to bring the swelling down, which is what lets these wounds finally close.
We coordinate
We manage the wound dressing and clean the wound bed as it heals, adjusting as the leg changes.
We follow through
Once it’s healed, we set you up with a plan to keep swelling controlled so it doesn’t come back.
Related wounds we treat
We handle these too.
Diabetic foot ulcers
Foot sores in people with diabetes — treated early, before they become serious.
Learn moreArterial & mixed wounds
Slow-healing wounds from limited blood flow — assessed with the right specialists.
Learn morePressure injuries & bed sores
Bed sores from sitting or lying too long — treated and prevented.
Learn more
Where we visit
Care across the Illinois Metro East.
We’re built for the Illinois side of the river — every county and town below has its own page so you can see exactly how we help where you live. Pick your county or your town to get started.
We’re ready when you are
Have a wound that needs attention?
Call 314-325-0126 or request care. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you find the right next step.