Leg and Foot Ulcers in Fairhope, AL

Vascular Associates Treats Leg and Foot Ulcers Near Fairhope, AL

The vascular specialists at Vascular Associates of South Alabama help patients prevent and treat leg and foot ulcers in the Fairhope, Alabama area and throughout the Eastern Shore.

Up to 2 million Americans suffer from leg or foot ulcers every year. People with diabetes are at particular risk of developing ulcers in their feet or legs—and with a high concentration of retirees and diabetic patients throughout Baldwin County, leg and foot ulcers are a condition our team sees and treats regularly. If you're one of the many people in Fairhope or the surrounding Eastern Shore area dealing with daily discomfort and worry as a result of foot or leg ulcers, the caring medical professionals at Vascular Associates of South Alabama are here to help.

Dealing with sores that resist healing can be challenging, but our team is highly experienced in treating and preventing foot and leg ulcers. We specialize in comprehensive care for vascular conditions, including the latest advancements in ulcer treatment and prevention. You can count on us for effective strategies to help you regain and maintain healthier legs and feet.

Call 251-410-8272 to schedule your consultation with a vascular specialist serving Fairhope, AL.

Foot and Leg Ulcer Treatment and Prevention in Fairhope and Baldwin County

Vascular Associates of South Alabama offers care for a wide range of vascular, vein-related, and artery-related health problems, including Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), varicose veins, and other common vascular conditions. Our team of qualified physicians can help you address your concerns about leg or foot ulcers—whether you're coming to us from Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, or elsewhere on the Eastern Shore. We're here to answer your questions, examine your wound, and create a treatment plan to address your current situation and do our utmost to prevent similar problems in the future.

What Are Ulcers?

An ulcer is a wound or sore that won't heal or keeps coming back. If you have a sore that resists healing for several weeks, you're dealing with an ulcer. Some ulcers require medical intervention in order to achieve full healing. If a person has a vascular disease or circulatory disorder, they can be especially prone to ulcers that are reluctant to heal properly.

You may find venous foot or leg ulcers in a few different places, including the bottom of your foot, below your knee on the inside of your leg, or anywhere that your feet tend to rub against one another. An ulcer may seep or ooze liquid or pus, and if left untreated, it may grow larger over time.

Are Foot or Leg Ulcers Dangerous?

Ulcers commonly go deep — below the skin and far enough into the tissue to damage nerves. Since ulcers resist healing, the skin can't function as well as a protective barrier against bacteria, which puts ulcer patients at a significantly increased risk of infection. These infections can be severe.

In addition, ulcers can cause chronic inflammation, chronic fatigue, and generalized weakness. Diabetics are at particular risk of requiring a lower limb amputation as a result of problems associated with foot and lower leg ulcers. A wound that won't heal is always a serious concern and needs expert medical attention—the sooner you seek care, the better the outcome.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Leg or Foot Ulcers?

Several factors increase a person's risk of developing foot or leg ulcers. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from this type of ulcer, and age is also a significant factor—leg and foot ulcers are more commonly experienced by older adults, which makes this a particular concern for Fairhope's large retirement and senior population.

Other risk factors include:

Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy
Obesity or the extra weight of pregnancy
Varicose veins or other venous conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis or high blood pressure
A family history of vein-related health issues
Previous hip or knee replacement surgery
Broken bones or paralysis
Smoking or low levels of physical activity

If you have one or more of these risk factors and have noticed a wound or sore that doesn't seem to be healing normally, don't wait to seek care.

Treating and Preventing Foot and Leg Ulcers — Serving Fairhope, AL

What can you expect at your appointment with our team? Your physician at Vascular Associates of South Alabama will first speak with you about your condition and examine the ulcer. The top priority is to help the wound heal while avoiding infection in the meantime.

Ulcers are typically treated with oral or topical antibiotics, combined with diagnosing and treating the underlying cause that has led to the ulcer's formation. In some cases, we recommend procedures that will close off damaged veins, as these can sometimes interfere with your body's ability to heal itself. We may also suggest procedures that will restore healthy blood flow to the affected limb, or recommend the removal of any dead or damaged tissue around the ulcer.

Treatment of ulcers usually involves a combination of methods to achieve the best results. Your vascular specialist will work with you to help you make a well-informed decision about how you wish to proceed.

Leg and Foot Ulcer Specialist Serving Fairhope and the Eastern Shore

If you have a wound or sore that is lingering, possibly worsening, and not healing the way a sore normally would, don't hesitate to reach out to our team for assistance. We're committed to providing expert vascular care for patients throughout Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and all of Baldwin County.

Allow our experienced and compassionate team of vascular specialists to help you live a healthier and more comfortable life.