Oregon Leg Wound Clinic

Non healing leg wounds are very common, especially in the pacific Northwest.  Many patients find themselves looking for and Oregon leg wound clinic. At Inovia Vein, we specialize in vein care and are very experienced helping diagnose the reason for leg wounds that do not heal, and when they are venous, we offer wound care and specific venous treatments to help them heal faster and stay healed longer.

Types of Leg Wounds

Leg wounds are either acute or chronic.  An acute leg wound typically results from a sudden injury, such as a cut or burn, and usually heals within a few weeks as it progresses through the normal stages of healing. In contrast, a chronic, non-healing leg wound persists for more than 30 days without significant improvement. Generally a non-healing leg wound is defined as one that shows no major progress toward healing after 30 days. Chronic non healing wounds often remain stuck in the inflammatory phase, leading to complications such as infection and increased pain. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective treatment and management strategies.Understanding the causes of chronic non healing leg wounds helps in recognizing where to go for treatment.

  • Venous Leg Ulcers: Caused by poor venous return from the legs.  Often associated with varicose veins. Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most common type of leg wound, affecting millions annually.
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Resulting from diabetes complications.
  • Arterial: Necrosis or wounds from critical limb ischemia
  • Rare causes:  There are some less common causes of wounds on legs that do not heal.  When a wound will not heal despite appropriate efforts, sometimes a biopsy is needed to look for these less common causes of non healing leg wounds.

 

Recognizing these types allows for targeted treatment strategies at our Oregon Leg Wound Clinic at Inovia Vein.

 

 Oregon Leg Wound Clinic: Venous Leg Ulcers

 

Although we can help diagnose the type of leg wound when the diagnosis is unknown, we specialize in the most common cause which is venous.  Venous leg ulcers are a significant concern in wound care nationwide. They occur due to chronic venous insufficiency, where veins struggle to send blood back to the heart. VLUs affect about 1% of the population, particularly older adults.  Many have a long history of varicose veins or leg swelling with dark, hard skin by the ankles.

What differentiates venous leg ulcers from diabetic foot ulcers? VLUs typically develop on the lower leg and are often associated with swelling and skin changes from chronic venous insufficiency.  We can diagnose this with vascular imaging. In contrast, diabetic foot ulcers usually occur on the foot and are linked to neuropathy and poor circulation in patients who often have a history of diabetes and or neuropathy. Ulcers from critical limb ischemia are generally due to blocked arteries to the legs.  Again, this can be diagnosed by taking a history, performing and exam vascular imaging.  Sometimes patients have mixed etiology, meaning they have more than one cause. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective treatment at the Oregon Leg Wound Clinic.

 

 Oregon Leg Wound Clinic: Vascular Imaging

 

Vascular imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing and managing leg wounds. Dedicated venous reflux studies help assess blood flow in the legs. We perform these in office. Additionally, Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) tests evaluate arterial circulation. Pelvic venous ultrasound screens for deep venous obstruction.  As suggested by national treatment consensus guidelines, these imaging techniques are essential for nearly all cases and we offer them in office at our Oregon Leg Wound Clinics. They provide critical information that guides treatment decisions.

 

 Oregon Leg Wound Clinic: Venous Ablation

 

Venous ablation is a key treatment for venous leg ulcers (VLUs). This minimally invasive procedure targets problematic veins, improving blood flow and promoting healing. Current guidelines support endovenous ablation based on strong evidence and expert consensus.

 

Early intervention with venous ablation leads to faster healing rates and reduced recurrence of VLUs. Therefore, timely referrals to specialists at the Oregon Leg Wound Clinic are crucial for optimal outcomes.

 

 Oregon Leg Wound Clinic: Advanced Wound Care

 

Advanced wound care is essential for effective management of leg wounds. This includes:

  • Dressing Changes: Creating an optimal healing environment with dressings that help clean up the wound
  • Swelling Management: Using compression therapy to reduce edema.  This is especially critical in VLUs.
  • Debridement and Biopsy: Removing dead tissue to promote healing.

A combination of venous ablation and wound care can help a majority of venous ulcers heal more rapidly and stay healed longer.

At the Oregon Leg Wound Clinic, our team employs a comprehensive approach to wound care, ensuring personalized treatment plans for each patient.

 

 Oregon Leg Wound Clinic: Artificial Skin Substitutes

 

For wounds that do not heal, artificial skin substitutes offer hope. These advanced therapies include Cellular and/or Tissue-Based Products (CTPs). They have shown effectiveness in promoting healing for stubborn venous leg ulcers.  They can be put on in the office.  Usually we have to get the wound ready with debridement and dressing changes and then apply this covering and an Unna’s boot to protect it.  They generally stay on a week and then are replaced a few times on a weekly basis in the clinic. The cells help your own cells spread out and close the wound in a complex biological process that is facilitated by the grafts.

 

Patients using CTPs experience higher rates of complete wound healing compared to standard care alone. At the Oregon Leg Wound Clinic, we tailor treatments based on individual wound characteristics to maximize healing potential.  We also help you work with your insurance carrier to see what is covered and try to tailor your treatment to your goals and to minimize out of pocket costs.

About Inovia Vein

At Inovia Vein, we have six clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. We prioritize providing top-notch care through our certified specialized providers. All our doctors are board certified and have years of experience caring for vein patients. They trained at prestigious institutions like Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) and the University of Washington Medical Center and others.  Our providers learned in top medical center settings and worked at Veterans Administration hospitals in Seattle, Portland, New York, Kentucky and Phoenix Arizona. They have served on staff at prominent hospitals where they built their professional networks.  This includes Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center, and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Additionally, they have been on staff at Providence Medical Center, St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon and Peacehealth in Vancouver.

We contract with nearly all regional insurance companies, including Providence Health Plan, MODA, PacificSource, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. Additionally, we accept Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and the Oregon Health Plan. In Washington, we accept Apple Care Medicaid. Unfortunately we are not now contracted with Kaiser Permanente.    In the past when they have additional vein care access needs to fulfill we have collaborated with Kaiser.  We team up with Physician Associates and Nurse Practitioners who work closely with our physicians in daily contact in our personable and accessible office settings at 6 clinics including Northwest Portland, Tigard, Tanasbourne, Happy Valley, Bend, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Oregon Leg Wound Clinic  at Inovia Vein provides specialized care for various leg wounds. Our comprehensive approach encompasses advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments, and personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs. If you or someone you know is struggling with a leg wound, contact us today for expert assistance in your healing journey.

Ready to Start your Vein Treatment Journey?

Request an appointment today to meet with leading vein experts at any of our clinics in:
NW Portland, Tigard, Happy Valley, Tanasbourne, Vancouver or Bend.

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