World's largest trial for leg ulcer treatment
Posted on 8 November 1999
The trial is now underway in hospitals and communities in:
- Cumbria
- Charing Cross, London
- Leeds
- North Yorkshire
Trials will start soon in Hull and Southport
Venous leg ulcers - sometimes known as varicose ulcers - affect about one per cent of the population, frequently the elderly, at some time in their lives. The problem is caused by poor blood return from the legs to the heart, and the most effective treatment is firm bandaging from the toe to the knee to help the blood return to the heart.
Currently two main types of bandage are used: Australia and Europe use the 'short stretch' bandage which is all cotton and washable, and only requires a couple of layers on the leg. Another bandage, widely used in the UK and known as the 'four layer' can be left for longer, which means fewer trips to see a nurse to have it changed.
Andrea Nelson, research fellow at the University, said: "We are undertaking this trial to discover which is the most effective and the most acceptable bandage. We want to encourage people to get treatment in the first place. Many elderly people are embarrassed and don't realise there is anything that can be done. We can heal the vast majority of leg ulcers and this can have a great effect on the quality of life.
"We are interested not only in how quickly the bandages heal the leg ulcers - this can take between a few weeks and a couple of years - but also whether they are comfortable, or whether they stop people getting their shoes on, and if they slip or need to be reapplied too often."