Management of leg ulceration

Key points

• Venous hypertension is treatable. Evidence shows strong compression therapy is fundamental to rapid healing and significantly improves patients’ lives and wellbeing.
• Mild compression therapy can be applied in mixed-aetiology ulcers with specialist support. Compression therapy is contraindicated in arterial ulceration.
• A timely, holistic assessment of the patient, lower limb and ulcer site allows early identification of risk factors and should form the basis of management.
• Patients should be included in decisions about their care to set expectations and address barriers to engagement.
• Patient-related and social factors need to inform decisions on the most suitable compression system for the best healing outcomes.
• Health professionals should be well educated, skilled and competent in assessment and management of lower limbs.