Arterial Ulcers
What Are Arterial Ulcers?
Arterial ulcers are serious wounds caused by poor circulation, most often linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD). These ulcers typically form on the toes, heels or ankles and are extremely slow to heal because oxygen-rich blood cannot properly reach the tissue.
In facilities such as skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation centers, arterial ulcers are common among residents with vascular disease, diabetes or limited mobility. Without specialized wound care, these ulcers often become a major cause of infection, hospitalization and amputation.
Why Treatment Matters
For facilities, arterial ulcers represent both a clinical risk and a compliance challenge. If untreated, they can lead to:
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Severe infections requiring hospital transfer
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Gangrene and limb amputation
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Increased pain and reduced quality of life for residents
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Survey citations and liability issues for the facility
For patients at home, arterial ulcers often mean repeated ER visits, long healing times and significant stress for family caregivers.
Early, consistent treatment improves outcomes by reducing complications, avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and supporting both resident and caregiver confidence.
Signs & Symptoms of Arterial Ulcers
In both facilities and homes, look for:
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Painful sores on toes, heels or ankles
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Dry, punched-out wounds with well-defined edges
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Cool, pale or bluish skin near the ulcer
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Sharp or burning pain, often worse when legs are elevated
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Blackened tissue (necrosis) around the wound
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Minimal bleeding, even with open sores
Staff and caregivers should be trained to recognize these signs early to prevent rapid progression.
How We Help
At Agape Life Multicultural Services (ALMS), we specialize in mobile wound care for facilities and in-home patients, bringing advanced care directly to where it’s needed most.
For facilities, we provide:
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Regular wound rounds to ensure early detection and intervention
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Evidence-based treatment protocols to promote faster healing
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Compliance-focused documentation to meet state and federal standards
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Staff training and education on prevention and monitoring
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Collaboration with physicians, vascular specialists and administrators for complete continuity of care
For in-home patients, we deliver:
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On-site wound assessments and treatments without the stress of travel
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Customized care plans that address both the wound and circulation issues
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Family education on wound monitoring and risk reduction
With ALMS, facilities can reduce avoidable hospital transfers, infection rates and compliance risks, while patients and families gain peace of mind knowing expert wound care comes directly to them.