Circulation Looking after your legs! Tara Teske tara.teske@bdct.nhs.uk

Blood flow in the legs

What Can Poor Circulation Lead To? Leg Ulcers Risk Factors Obesity Difficulty walking Previous DVT or leg injury Varicose veins Previous surgery Older age Underlying conditions i.e. diabetes

What to do if you develop a leg wound? SELF CARE FOR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS! Clean with water Use a simple dry dressing Moisturise legs with a none scented cream to prevent irritation. Monitor for infection If after 2 weeks wound has not healed its time to see your district nurse

District Nurse Assessment Wound Assessment Doppler Studies After 2 weeks your leg wound is now classified as a ‘Leg Ulcer’ Following doppler results appropriate dressings would be applied – such as compression bandaging. If doppler readings are too high or too low referral to vascular specialists will be made.

Why is early diagnosis important? If identified early leg ulcers can take a few months to heal The longer leg ulcers are left without appropriate treatment they can become larger, more painful and some can take years to heal.

What we expect from you Full engagement and input from you with all care planning and management. Eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of protein to aid wound healing. Understanding that once your leg ulcer is healed you will need to: wear compression hosiery Wash and cream legs daily Have repeat doppler studies preformed a minimum of yearly Be re measured for compression hosiery every 6 months

Prevention! Balanced diet If over weight try to loss weight Stay mobile – if mobility is poor when sitting preform foot and leg exercises (appropriate exercises can be obtained from your GP Practice/District nurses) Don’t use scented soaps or creams that could irritate your skin.