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Leg ulcer - venous - Management
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How do I manage a person after their venous leg ulcer has healed?

  • Educating and encouraging the individual to adopt a lifestyle to prevent ulcer recurrence is vital. The advice should be personalized, repeated on a regular basis.
  • Explain the importance of:
    • Wearing the appropriate grade and type of compression stockings, ideally for a minimum of 5 years (although life long usage is preferable).
    • Putting compression stockings on first thing in the morning before getting out of bed.
    • Adhering to lifestyle measures.
  • Encourage the person to attend a healthy leg club — for more information, see the website www.legclub.org.
  • Follow up the person on a regular basis (every 6–12 months) to identify risk factors that may result in further skin breakdown and ulceration, such as poor skin care, worsening leg oedema, varicose veins, and leg trauma.
  • Ideally, Doppler studies should be carried out every 6 months, or sooner if clinically indicated. However, in practice the frequency of Doppler assessment will be guided by local availability and resources.

In depth

Prescriptions

Compression stockings

Age from 16 years onwards
Class 3 compression stockings: below knee (standard stock)
Compression hosiery class III below knee stocking circular knit standard stock size
Use as directed. To be measured and fitted by your pharmacist or primary health care provider.
Supply 2 single stockings.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £11.27
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: You can choose to have any of the following types of stockings: stockings with a closed heel and toe, stockings with an open toe, stockings with an open heel and toe. Put the stocking(s) on first thing in the morning and remove before you go to bed.
Class 2 compression stockings: below knee (standard stock)
Compression hosiery class II below knee stocking circular knit standard stock size
Use as directed. To be measured and fitted by your pharmacist or primary health care provider.
Supply 2 single stockings.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £9.94
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: You can choose to have any of the following types of stockings: stockings with a closed heel and toe, stockings with an open toe, stockings with an open heel and toe. Put the stocking(s) on first thing in the morning and remove before you go to bed.

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement