Ankle and Leg Ulcers

Ulcerations on the legs and ankles of patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease usually begins after the age of 10. Several conditions can cause ulcers to form; ranging from poor circulation, bacterial infection or a blockage caused by densely packed, mutated cells. oxygen-starved blood cells, made rigid by mutation, can no longer fit into smaller blood vessels and this creates a backup of blood which can damage or burst the vessel.

Not everyone with SCD will contract this symptom, however. The majority of diagnosed sickle cell disease patient’s who suffer from leg ulcers are Jamaican, while just eight to 10 percent are North American. Most often these sores will appear on areas of the legs with thinner skin and less fat or ankles and treatment usually involves elevation of the lower extremities and daily walking or jogging to promote healthier circulation.