ABSTRACT
Ischemic ulcers may result from small-vessel disease, atherosclerotic occlusion of the main limb arteries, or a combination of both. Vasculitic ulcers are described in Chapter 8 (p. 68).
Many patients with ischemic ulceration arrive in the clinic with a letter requesting treatment of an intractable ‘venous ulcer’ and with tight bandages conscientiously applied by a district nurse. It is obviously important that these are removed and replaced by light crepe bandages. An appropriately tactful letter then has to be composed to the general practitioner and his hardworking nurses to avoid repetition of tight compression.
