Service
Arterial ulcers: home wound care
Arterial ulcers are wounds caused by poor blood flow to the legs or feet. Blood flow has to be assessed and often improved, so wound care at home works alongside your physician, vascular specialist or wound clinic.
What it is
When arteries narrow, the skin and tissue do not get enough oxygen, and a small injury can turn into a painful, slow-healing wound. Arterial ulcers are often on the toes, between the toes, on the heels or on the outer ankle, and they can be quite painful at night or when the legs are raised.
Because the underlying problem is circulation, treatment usually starts with a vascular assessment. Our job at home is careful wound care, protecting the limb, and flagging changes that need your physician’s attention quickly.
Who this is for
- Adults with a wound on the foot, toe or ankle who have known circulation problems
- People with diabetes, kidney disease or a history of smoking
- Patients who have been told they have peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- Anyone whose wound is very painful or has been slow to heal despite good dressing care
What a visit looks like
- Assess the wound and the limbWe look at the wound, the colour and temperature of the foot, and whether the pulses can be felt.
- Follow the vascular planWe work within the instructions from your physician or vascular specialist.
- Careful dressing careDressings are chosen to protect fragile tissue, and compression is never used unless your provider has ordered it for you.
- Protect the footWe check footwear, skin and nails, and look for pressure points that could create another wound.
- Report changes quicklyNew pain, colour change or blackening tissue is reported to your provider without delay.
Questions about arterial ulcers
Does arterial ulcers care at home need a doctor's order?
Clinically reviewed by [ADD REVIEWER NAME + CREDENTIALS, e.g. J. Smith, RN, BSN] on [ADD REVIEW DATE]
Where we provide this care
This service is available across our three-county service area in Northwest Florida.
Other wound care services
Many patients need more than one type of wound care. These are the other wounds we treat at home.
- Diabetic ulcersDiabetic foot ulcers are open sores that can form on the feet of people with diabetes.
- Pressure injuriesA pressure injury (also called a pressure ulcer, pressure sore or bedsore) is damage to skin and tissue caused by staying in one position too long.
- CellulitisCellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue just beneath it.
- Surgical woundsAfter surgery, some incisions need skilled dressing changes and watching for infection.
- Skin tearsA skin tear is a wound where fragile, thin skin has been torn — often from a bump, a bandage or a gentle pull.
- Trauma woundsTrauma wounds are injuries from a fall, a cut, a bump or a crash.
Ready to start? Call us or send a referral.
We answer questions about coverage and physician orders before you commit to anything.
- Phone
- 850-940-4325
- Fax referrals
- 833-636-4600
- Office hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Leave a message after hours and we will call you back.
