CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Leg ulcer - venous - Management
What lifestyle advice is needed for someone with a venous leg ulcer?
- Advise the person to consider the following self-care strategies, both when they have an ulcer and after the ulcer has healed:
- Keep mobile with regular walking. Elevate legs when immobile.
- Avoid trauma and wear appropriate (well-fitting) footwear.
- Use an emollient frequently even after the ulcer has healed (avoid products that may contain sensitizing agents).
- Examine legs regularly for broken skin, blisters, swelling, or redness.
- Wear compression bandages or stockings as advised. If there are any difficulties, contact a healthcare professional before stopping using them.
- Advise the person to adopt a healthy lifestyle to promote healing and prevent recurrence of ulcers:
- Lose weight (if appropriate), eat a balanced diet, and drink alcohol at sensible levels. See the CKS topics on Obesity and Alcohol - problem drinking for more information.
- Stop smoking: if the person is willing to quit refer them to smoking cessation services. See the CKS topic on Smoking cessation for more information.
- Provide advice about local organizations that can provide support, such as www.legclub.org.
Basis for recommendation
- These recommendations are based on clinical guidelines: The nursing management of patients with venous leg ulcers published by the Royal College of Nursing [RCN, 2006], together with the best available trial evidence, informed expert opinion, and current good clinical practice.
- There is very little evidence on the effectiveness of self-care and lifestyle strategies on the healing and recurrence rates of venous leg ulcers. The recommendations are based on best practice and clinical common sense. Advice should be given in the context of improving the person's overall health and quality of life [Dutch College of General Practitioners, 2004; RCN, 2006].
- Stopping smoking:
- CKS recommends stopping smoking because nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and adversely affects the microcirculation, leading to impaired wound healing.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement