Pages: 36 - 41
Article topics: Empowerment, Health promotion, Leg ulcer, Primary care, Social isolation
A leg ulcer can be defined as a break in a person’s skin which becomes chronic in nature and takes longer than two weeks to heal (NHS UK, 2019). Evidence outlined by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that the prevalence of leg ulcers in the United Kingdom is around one percent over a lifetime, which still describes a large number of people (NICE 2022; Lim et al, 2018). The prevalence of leg ulcers continues to rise and a shift in lifestyle factors, including smoking and obesity, have contributed to this (Agale, 2013). Further risk factors for developing leg ulcers include immobility, advancing age, a history of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and having a sedentary lifestyle (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network [SIGN], 2010; Lim et al, 2018). The challenge of caring for these chronic wounds often falls to staff in primary care. Therefore, they should have a good understanding of leg ulcers and how best to treat them. In the author’s opinion, Leg Clubs® provide an ideal opportunity to manage lower limb wounds, while also tackling the wider holistic issues of leg ulcers, such as social isolation and loneliness.