Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment in San Antonio:
A Complete Guide
Chronic wounds on the lower legs don’t just hurt, they interrupt your life. When wounds linger or reopen frequently, it may be more than a simple skin issue. It could be a venous leg ulcer (VLU), a serious condition that requires specialized care to heal and prevent a recurrence.
At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we help San Antonio patients recover faster from venous ulcers using physician-led evaluations, advanced therapies, and a full spectrum of wound care services. If you’re living with leg swelling, open sores, or a wound that just won’t close, this guide is for you.
What Is a Venous Leg Ulcer?
A venous leg ulcer is a wound or open sore on the lower leg, ankle, or foot that develops due to chronic venous insufficiency when the veins in your legs don’t return blood to the heart efficiently. This poor circulation leads to blood pooling in the lower limbs, increasing pressure, and eventually causing the skin to break down.
VLUs are the most common type of leg ulcer and are responsible for nearly 70% of all chronic lower extremity wounds.
Symptoms of Venous Leg Ulcers
VLUs may start as small, shallow wounds, but can quickly grow if not treated. Common symptoms include:
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A wound on the inner leg above the ankle
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Swelling or heaviness in the lower leg
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Skin discoloration or thickening around the wound
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Pain or itching
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Redness, drainage, or odor if infected
If a wound hasn’t improved after 2–3 weeks of standard care, it’s time to see a wound care specialist.
What Causes Venous Leg Ulcers?
VLUs develop when the valves in your leg veins stop working properly. Instead of blood flowing up toward the heart, it pools in your legs, creating high pressure in the veins. Over time, this damages skin and tissue.
Risk Factors:
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Long periods of standing or sitting
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History of blood clots or leg injury
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Obesity or pregnancy
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Aging
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Varicose veins
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Family history of vein disease
Why VLUs Are Difficult to Heal Without Help
Venous ulcers require more than ointment and bandages. Without targeted medical care, these wounds can:
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Become infected
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Spread deeper into the skin and tissue
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Reopen after partial healing
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Lead to long-term mobility problems
Over-the-counter dressings and diuretics (water pills) offer minimal benefit. For true healing, your leg needs controlled compression, wound cleansing, and circulation support.
Our Approach to Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment
At Hill Country Wound Care, we provide personalized, physician-led treatment plans for venous ulcers. Our approach includes:
1. Comprehensive Wound Assessment
We begin with a full evaluation, including:
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Wound size, depth, and duration
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Skin condition and risk factors
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Signs of infection or bone involvement
2. Compression Therapy
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This is the cornerstone of venous ulcer treatment. Our team uses medical-grade compression wraps or bandages to reduce swelling, support blood return to the heart, and promote skin closure.
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Wraps are applied during visits and changed regularly
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Once the ulcer is closed, we fit patients for compression stockings to prevent recurrence
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Compression therapy is the only method proven to significantly accelerate healing in venous ulcers.
3. Advanced Wound Care Therapies
We may recommend additional treatments such as:
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Cellular Tissue Products: Biologic dressings that mimic skin and stimulate tissue regeneration
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Ultrasonic Mist Debridement: A gentle, no-touch technology that removes dead tissue and bacteria to support healing
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): In select cases, oxygen therapy helps boost tissue repair and fight infection
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Topical Medications: To reduce inflammation and prevent infection
4. Ongoing Monitoring and Support
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Weekly or biweekly follow-ups
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Dressing changes and circulation checks
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Patient education and self-care guidance
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Coordination with your primary care provider or vascular specialist when needed
How to Prevent Venous Leg Ulcers from Coming Back
Once a VLU heals, long-term maintenance is essential. Our team works with you to prevent recurrence through:
Do:
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Wear prescribed compression stockings daily
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Elevate your legs when sitting
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Exercise regularly, especially walking
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Keep your skin clean and moisturized
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Maintain a healthy weight
Don’t:
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Smoke or use nicotine
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Sit or stand for extended periods without movement
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Expose your legs to extreme heat or cold
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Pick at scabs or dry skin
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Ignore signs of swelling or skin breakdown
Why Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics?
We’re proud to be San Antonio’s largest physician-led outpatient wound care network, with three convenient locations in Live Oak, Southwest San Antonio, and Bulverde.
What Sets Us Apart:
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Board-certified providers on site
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Customized compression and wound therapies
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Advanced debridement and biologic options
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Comfortable, outpatient environment with easy parking
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No long hospital stays, and no unnecessary delays
We work to restore your quality of life, not just close your wound.
