A leg ulcer is a breakdown in tissue on the leg or foot resulting from alterations in the arterial or venous vessels in the lower leg or both. Venous leg ulcers are the most common type of lower extremity ulcer and are the result of poor venous return to the heart resulting in sustained venous hypertension causing swelling and tissue damage in the lower leg. [14]

Compression - Wound management with compression therapy is very important for managing venous wounds. [14]
Note: Sometimes patients exhibit both mixed arterial and venous disease so evaluation of the leg must be done prior to the use of compression in order to rule out any signs of arterial disease. [14]

Colonization of bacteria in a wound indicates that bacteria are multiplying in the wound and causing tissue damage and signs of infection in the wound. The tissue response can range from mild to severe with limb or life threatening changes. Traditional signs of infection may include redness, warmth, swelling, fever, increased drainage, and foul odor. [14]

Antimicrobial dressing - Ionic silver dressings, powered by Hydrofiber^® Technology, absorb wound fluid and kill bacteria in the dressing to help decrease bacteria in the wound bed. [16]