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Chronic Leg and Foot Ulcers in the Elderly

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Geriatric Diseases

Abstract

Chronic leg ulcer can be defined as an ulcer that has not healed after 3 months of appropriate treatment. Peak prevalence is between 60 and 80 years. Arterial ulcers are the second largest group of leg ulcers and account for 10–25% of lower limb ulcers. Venous ulcers are the most common in those 65 years and older. Diabetes patients can develop both arterial and neuropathic ulcers. Pressure ulcers range from 7% to 23% among nursing home residents. Chronic ulcers of the skin affect several aspects of daily life and changes in functional capacity. This chapter will provide an overview of leg and foot ulcers, prevalence, clinical manifestations and management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Sydney, Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia

    Nages Nagaratnam & Kujan Nagaratnam

  2. Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service, Blacktown-Mt Druitt Hospital, Mount Druitt, NSW, Australia

    Gary Cheuk

Authors
  1. Nages Nagaratnam
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  2. Kujan Nagaratnam
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  3. Gary Cheuk
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Nagaratnam, N., Nagaratnam, K., Cheuk, G. (2018). Chronic Leg and Foot Ulcers in the Elderly. In: Geriatric Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33434-9_87

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33434-9_87

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-33433-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-33434-9

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