Venous Stasis Ulcers — Wound Care Treatment in Orlando, FL

By Dr. Carli Hoover, DPM

Venous Stasis Ulcers — Wound Care Treatment in Orlando, FL

An open sore on your leg that won't heal despite weeks of care is more than just an infection—it's often a venous stasis ulcer, a serious wound that develops when your circulatory system fails to deliver oxygen and nutrients properly. If you're struggling with a non-healing leg wound in Downtown Orlando, Dr. Carli Hoover at Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute specializes in advanced wound management and can help you finally achieve healing.

What Are Venous Stasis Ulcers?

Venous stasis ulcers form when chronically poor circulation leaves your lower legs starved of oxygen. Unlike arterial ulcers (which develop on the feet and have sharp, well-defined edges) or diabetic ulcers (which form on pressure points), venous ulcers typically appear on the inner ankle, lower calf, or shin. They have irregular, "weeping" edges and often produce significant drainage.

These wounds account for 60–80% of all leg ulcers and are notoriously difficult to heal without proper treatment. Dr. Carli Hoover at our Downtown Orlando location understands that standard bandaging won't work—you need aggressive circulation optimization paired with specialized wound care.

Why Venous Stasis Ulcers Don't Heal on Their Own

Your skin cells need a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to rebuild themselves. When venous insufficiency develops—usually from damaged vein valves or weak vein walls—blood pools in your legs instead of returning to your heart. The MedlinePlus venous-insufficiency page describes the same mechanism: damaged valves let blood stay in the legs, and a slow-healing ulcer can open near the ankle. This pooling creates a perfect storm:

Elevated pressure in leg veins damages surrounding tissue.
Fluid leaks from capillaries into surrounding tissue, causing swelling and edema.
White blood cells and inflammatory proteins accumulate, triggering fibrosis (scarring) and skin breakdown.
Oxygen levels drop at the wound site, preventing new tissue growth.
Infection risk soars because poor circulation can't deliver antibodies effectively.

Dr. Carli Hoover at Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute explains that treating a venous stasis ulcer means attacking the circulation problem head-on—not just treating the wound itself.

Risk Factors and Warning Signs

You're at higher risk for venous stasis ulcers if you have:

Previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots
Severe varicose veins visible as bulging, twisted veins
Obesity or sedentary lifestyle
Advanced age (especially over 60)
Family history of circulation problems
Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis

Warning signs that a wound is turning into a venous ulcer:

Swelling that worsens throughout the day
Brownish or reddish discoloration around the wound
Excessive weeping or drainage
Itching and burning that intensifies
Skin that feels warm or shows signs of infection
Wound edges that don't show improvement after 2 weeks

If you notice these in Downtown Orlando, Dr. Carli Hoover at CFFAI can intervene before permanent tissue damage occurs.

Dr. Carli Hoover's Comprehensive Wound Care Approach

Phase 1: Assessment and Compression

First, Dr. Carli Hoover evaluates your wound and circulation status. She'll check for signs of infection, measure the ulcer, assess your skin's appearance, and order vascular studies if needed. Most patients begin high-compression therapy (20–30 mmHg minimum) to reduce swelling and improve circulation.

Phase 2: Wound Bed Preparation

Healthy wound healing requires a clean, moist environment. Dr. Carli Hoover may recommend:

Enzymatic debridement to remove dead tissue
Moisture-retentive dressings (foam, alginate, or hydrocolloid) that promote healing
Topical growth factors or specialized medications to stimulate new tissue
Negative pressure wound therapy for larger or resistant ulcers

Phase 3: Infection Control

Venous ulcers attract bacteria. Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute uses evidence-based protocols to manage infection without over-relying on systemic antibiotics, which can breed resistance.

Phase 4: Circulation Optimization

Once the acute wound stabilizes, Dr. Carli Hoover may refer you for:

Endovenous ablation: Sealing off faulty veins with heat
Sclerotherapy: Injecting medication to collapse problem veins
Vein stripping (rarely): Surgical removal of severely damaged veins

At our Downtown Orlando location, CFFAI coordinates these treatments with vascular specialists to give you the best chance at durable healing.

Advanced Therapies Available at CFFAI Downtown Orlando

If conservative care stalls, Dr. Carli Hoover can offer:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Increases oxygen delivery to the wound at the cellular level
Cellular and tissue products: Grafts and biologics that jumpstart healing
Larva therapy: Live sterile maggots that consume only dead tissue (highly effective but not for everyone)
Skin grafting: As a last resort for massive ulcers

Prevention: Your Best Defense

Once a venous ulcer heals, prevention is critical. Dr. Carli Hoover at CFFAI emphasizes:

Wear compression stockings daily (even when the ulcer closes)
Elevate your legs for 30 minutes after standing or sitting
Keep skin moisturized and protected from trauma
Exercise regularly to strengthen your "leg muscle pump"
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce venous pressure
Avoid prolonged immobility; stand and walk every hour

Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Carli Hoover

Venous stasis ulcers are serious, but they're treatable when you partner with a specialist who understands wound healing and circulation. If you're in Downtown Orlando with a non-healing leg wound, don't try to manage it alone.

Call (407) 307-0006 to schedule with Dr. Carli Hoover at our Downtown Orlando location, or book at https://floridafai.intakeq.com/booking. Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute is equipped with the expertise and advanced technologies to heal your ulcer and restore your mobility.

Venous Stasis Ulcers — Wound Care Treatment in Orlando, FL