Prescribing for the management of venous leg ulceration

Venous leg ulceration affects a large proportion of the elderly population and can have a profound impact on quality of life. Most patients with leg ulcers receive care from community nurses who are principally responsible for prescribing decisions in the management of venous leg ulceration. There is evidence to support the use of potable tap water for cleansing. Evidence supports the use of compression bandaging or compression hosiery for all patients with adequate arterial supply to the lower leg. There is also good evidence to support the prescription of oral pentoxifylline, preferably as an adjunct to compression or, for patients unable to tolerate compression, as a stand-alone therapy. The evidence base for dressings is less robust, but simple low-cost, low-adherent dressings are a reasonable first-line choice for under-compression.