A sore on the lower leg or ankle that does not heal can be a sign of a deeper circulation problem. Venous stasis ulcers are open wounds that develop when impaired venous function causes persistent pressure, swelling, and tissue damage in the lower legs. These ulcers are often slow to heal, may drain fluid, and can become painful or infected without proper care.
At Hill Country Vein Center, patients in New Braunfels, TX, and the San Antonio area receive focused evaluation for venous stasis ulcers and the vein disease that often causes them. Dr. Mark Kneuper is a board-certified General Surgeon with decades of experience serving New Braunfels, providing care grounded in vein evaluation and a strong understanding of tissue health, wound risk, and surgical principles.
What Are Venous Stasis Ulcers?
Venous stasis ulcers are wounds that usually form near the ankle or lower leg. They often develop in areas where the skin has already become swollen, discolored, irritated, or hardened from long-standing vein disease.
These ulcers may appear shallow at first, but they can become chronic if the underlying circulation problem is not addressed. Common symptoms include drainage, tenderness, itching, swelling, redness, and skin discoloration around the wound. Because venous ulcers can heal slowly and recur after treatment, evaluation should focus on both the wound and the venous pressure that contributes to it.
What Causes Venous Stasis Ulcers?
Venous stasis ulcers are most often caused by chronic venous insufficiency. This condition occurs when valves in the leg veins weaken or fail, allowing blood to pool in the lower legs rather than flow efficiently back toward the heart.
As blood pools, pressure builds inside the veins. Over time, this pressure can damage the skin and surrounding tissue, making the lower legs more vulnerable to inflammation, breakdown, and open sores. Risk factors may include untreated varicose veins, chronic leg swelling, prior blood clots, limited mobility, obesity, leg injury, and a history of vein disease.
How Are Venous Stasis Ulcers Treated?
Treatment for venous stasis ulcers should address both the open wound and the vein condition that caused it. At Hill Country Vein Center, evaluation may include a physical exam, symptom review, and a duplex ultrasound to identify venous reflux or problem veins that contribute to high pressure in the lower legs.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include:
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Compression therapy to reduce swelling and support wound healing
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Wound care guidance to help protect the ulcer, manage drainage, and reduce infection risk
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Leg elevation and walking recommendations to support circulation when appropriate
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Endovenous radiofrequency ablation to close diseased veins causing reflux
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VenaSeal™ Closure to seal certain problem veins with medical adhesive
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Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy or Varithena® to treat selected veins contributing to venous pressure
The goal is to improve circulation, reduce pressure around the wound, and support a better healing environment. Because venous ulcers often recur when the underlying vein problem is not treated, long-term vein management is an important part of care.
The Benefits Of Venous Stasis Ulcer Treatment
Treating venous stasis ulcers can help reduce pain, swelling, drainage, inflammation, and skin irritation. When circulation improves, the skin and tissue may receive better support for healing, which can help lower the risk of the wound becoming chronic.
Addressing the underlying vein disease may also reduce the chance of future ulcers. For many patients, treatment can improve comfort with walking, standing, sleeping, and daily activity while helping protect long-term leg health.
When To See A Vein Specialist
You should see a vein specialist if you have an open sore near the ankle or lower leg, especially if it is slow to heal or appears with swelling, varicose veins, skin discoloration, itching, or leg heaviness. These symptoms may indicate chronic venous insufficiency.
Prompt medical attention is important if the wound becomes increasingly painful, warm, red, swollen, foul-smelling, or produces heavy drainage. These may be signs of infection or worsening tissue damage.
Why Choose Hill Country Vein Center For Venous Stasis Ulcer Treatment?
Venous stasis ulcers require more than surface wound care. Because these ulcers often develop from long-term venous pressure, treatment should include careful evaluation of the underlying circulatory problem.
Dr. Mark Kneuper’s background as a board-certified General Surgeon is especially valuable for patients with non-healing wounds and advanced vein disease. His training supports a thoughtful approach to tissue health, ulcer risk, and minimally invasive vein treatment planning. Hill Country Vein Center helps patients in New Braunfels, San Antonio, and nearby communities address venous ulcers with a focus on healing and preventing recurrence.
Venous Stasis Ulcer Treatment In New Braunfels, TX
Venous stasis ulcers can affect your comfort, mobility, and long-term leg health. If you have a slow-healing wound near the ankle or lower leg, Hill Country Vein Center in New Braunfels, TX, can help determine whether vein disease is contributing to the problem.
Call Hill Country Vein Center at (830) 625-6258 today to schedule a consultation. The practice serves patients from New Braunfels, San Antonio, and surrounding Hill Country communities, providing focused evaluation and treatment of venous stasis ulcers.
