A Venos Leg Ulcer is a sore on your leg that’s very slow to heal, usually because of weak blood circulation in the limb. They can last anywhere from a few weeks to years. They can sometimes lead to more serious problems if you don’t have them treated. But there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening.

Venous ulcers happen when there’s a break in the skin on your leg, usually around the ankle. The veins in the leg, which should send blood back to the heart, might not be doing their job all that well. That’s often because the valves that stop the flow of blood back into the veins aren’t working like they should.

This backflow of blood means increased pressure in the end of the limb. When that happens, it can weaken the skin and make it harder for a cut or scrape to heal. They often occur over bony areas, such as your ankle.