Self-care strategies to prevent venous leg ulceration recurrence

Abstract

Recurrence of venous leg ulcers is common. Annemarie Brown discusses self-care strategies that can play a role in the prevention of recurrence Venous leg ulcers are common and take a long time to heal. Recurrence of leg ulcers occurs frequently, with some estimates suggesting 70% of ulcers will recur. Preventing recurrence would reduce costs to the NHS, as well as improve quality of life for patients. Encouraging patients to self-care is key to preventing recurrence of venous leg ulcers. Self-care includes the use of compression therapy, physical activity, mobility and leg elevation. It is likely that practice nurses will be responsible for encouraging patients to perform self-care in order to prevent venous leg ulcer recurrence.