Leg ulcer

[j.j.fortune]

Hello, so i have had a small leg ulcer on my left leg for a few years now And ive had it looked at quite a while back by a doctor but not a diabetic specialist and they said there is nothing to worry about. I was just wandering if i should be worried and should be going to get a diabetic specialist to look at it? Also is there any way of reducing a ulcer? Any advise would be apreciated. Thank you.

 

[catapillar]

I would be asking for a referral to the diabetic foot clinic at minimum - I know you say it's on your leg & not your foot, but the diabetic podiatrist will know the immediate advice for wound care and dressing, whether you need to be referred to a different department. Having it looked at by your GP doesn't seem to have done the trick, so ask for a more specialist referral & emphasise that you are diabetic when asking.

 

[Struma]

I also think this needs treating with a matter of urgency, to obtain an accurate diagnosis, and treatment.

From your profile - you are a 21 year old type 1 diabetic.
A small leg ulcer to me is about the size of the little finger nail. It appears as a raw, or punched-out, area.
Is it spontaneous or traumatic?

Firstly, I'm afraid, any smoking needs stopping - nicotine is a very potent vasoconstrictor.
Diabetes should be optimised (you will know more about that than me!)

Infection, needs treating if present, adequate (not low) dose, adequate length 1-2 weeks. Can be swabbed by Practice Nurse.

Diagnosis - is it venous or arterial - specialist Podiatrist; diabetologist/endocrinologist; vascular team; Tissue Viability Nurse.
Pressures need checking - ankle/brachial index. Doppler ultrasound to check blood flow. Ultimately may need angiogram.

Practice Nurse - very good with dressing/compression bandaging varicose ulcers, and ongoing care of arterial ulcers.

I must encourage you to be very assertive, and push hard to get these things done. I will confess, surreptitiously, that if you were my son, and any Health Professional was thwarting you in this endeavour ... Well you get the gist.

Good luck my friend, keep us updated. Struma