Vascular expert raising awareness about how 'Legs Matter' in bid for better patient outcomes
07.06.24
A leading vascular nurse is heading the charge to make staff and, just as importantly, patients aware of the signs of lower leg venous diseases.
Untreated, such conditions can result in leg ulcers which refuse to heal and can lead to lower limb amputations or worse. It is all part of “Leg Matters”, a national awareness week highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the circulation in our lower limbs.
As people live longer and rates of obesity and diabetes rise, the problem is not going away. This can often lead to further complications and risks of severe infection. Other common factors for some people with venous diseases are: smoking, an unhealthy diet and alcohol.
So, Clare Kendrick, vascular ward manager at Glan Clwyd Hospital, wants to raise awareness of the early signs of venous disease, so patients can adopt healthier lifestyles or raise the alarm about symptoms earlier and give themselves the best chance of a better outcome.
In addition, she is organising support and extra training around lower limb care and specialised wound dressing for her team.
She said: “It really matters to us. We get some patients arriving too late when they have a problem. If people were more aware of how to deal with issues earlier, they may not lose limbs and may not lose their quality of life.”
One of the early signs possibly indicating venous disease are “spider veins”. These are small, more visible and enlarged veins in the lower or upper leg. Treating them early can prevent the progression of venous disease.
Varicose, which bulging, often protruding veins can also lead to increased symptoms. These can progress into leg edema, a swelling of the leg which can produce itchy skin, severe aching or cramping. It can also lead to restless leg syndrome - an overwhelming urge to move your legs, which can worsen at night.
If this is allowed to progress, changes such as thinning of the skin and brown discolouration can occur. The colour is caused by blood leaking from the vessels and into the skin.
Ulcers indicate the venous disease has reached an advanced stage, causing extreme pain, itching and a deterioration in the quality of life.
See more information about “Leg Matters Week” here: Leg Health & Foot Care Information & Advice | Legs Matter
One of the other vascular symptoms they will be raising awareness of is intermittent claudication pain. This is caused by a build-up of fatty deposits within blood vessels supplying the leg and is also known as peripheral artery disease.
Pain can range from mild to severe and often comes in the form of a painful ache in people’s legs when they walk. It usually disappears after a few minutes’ rest. There are a number of other symptoms and you can read more about them here: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Clare’s team wants more awareness of vein diseases among the population and there will be an information stand in Glan Clwyd Hospital.
Clare added: “Many people come to us when they have a big problem but there are usually many signs before it gets to a critical point. We want to make people aware of what they are, as early intervention is vital. Prevention, by people changing their lifestyles where possible, is even better.”
Along with information for patients, there will be compression bandage training for nurses on the ward and there will be access to more training courses around lower limb care.
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