Venous Ulcers
What are venous ulcers?
Venous ulcers are shallow, red, weepy wounds. They usually develop on the lower half of the leg and can take a long time to heal. The majority of venous ulcers occur when blood is not moving efficiently back from the legs to the heart.
Venous ulcers and compression stockings and socks
If you have a venous ulcer you are at risk of developing another if you do not look after your legs. That is why you will be advised to wear compression stockings or socks for at least 5 years after it has healed, and you may need to wear them indefinitely.
The problem is that if you do not wear compression stockings and socks routinely, your veins are not supported well and more venous ulcers are likely to develop as long as 5 years after the first one has healed.
A medical study has shown that 84% of the people who have had a venous ulcer and who do not routinely wear their compression stockings or socks develop further ulcers. Only 30% of those who wore their compression stockings developed another venous ulcer, so the potential benefits of wearing compression stockings and socks are clear.