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  5. Venous Leg Ulcer solutions
Medical

Step 1: Protect peri-wound skin.

Cleanse
Moisturize
Protect
Cleanse
Moisturize

Step 2: Optimize the wound environment.

Manage Bioburden
Provide Collagen and ORC
  • A brown medical dressing.

    INADINE™ PVP-1 Non-Adherent Dressing

    A reliable, efficient and non-adherent dressing designed to manage bacterial contamination and prevent infection in both chronic and acute wounds. It is indicated to manage ulcerative wounds and may also be used for the prevention of infection in minor burns and minor traumatic skin loss injuries.

  • A silver medical dressing.

    SILVERCEL™ Dressings

    Helps manage bacterial contamination and infection in moderate to highly exuding partial and full thickness wounds.

  • Two hexagonal PROMOGRAN™ PRISM™ Wound Balancing Matrix.

    PROMOGRAN™ / PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix

    Helps manage elevated protease and elastase activity in a wound. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and collagen materials has a greater effect in reducing both MMP and elastase activity than collagen alone.8,9

    Manage Bioburden
  • A brown medical dressing.

    INADINE™ PVP-1 Non-Adherent Dressing

    A reliable, efficient and non-adherent dressing designed to manage bacterial contamination and prevent infection in both chronic and acute wounds. It is indicated to manage ulcerative wounds and may also be used for the prevention of infection in minor burns and minor traumatic skin loss injuries.

  • A silver medical dressing.

    SILVERCEL™ Dressings

    Helps manage bacterial contamination and infection in moderate to highly exuding partial and full thickness wounds.

    • Provide Collagen and ORC
  • Two hexagonal PROMOGRAN™ PRISM™ Wound Balancing Matrix.

    PROMOGRAN™ / PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix

    Helps manage elevated protease and elastase activity in a wound. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and collagen materials has a greater effect in reducing both MMP and elastase activity than collagen alone.8,9

Manage Exudate
  • Three beige and blue 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings in various shapes.

    3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicon Foam Dressings

    Featuing 3M's innovative layer technology, 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings provide longer wear time than the leading competitive silicone foam dressings10 while being gentle to skin.

  • Two 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings, one square and one circular.

    3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings

    Designed to meet the challenges of low- to high-exudating wounds. These dressings integrate innovative layer technology to absorb and evaporate moisture to help maintain optimal wound healing environment.

    Manage Exudate
  • Three beige and blue 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings in various shapes.

    3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicon Foam Dressings

    Featuing 3M's innovative layer technology, 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings provide longer wear time than the leading competitive silicone foam dressings10 while being gentle to skin.

  • Two 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings, one square and one circular.

    3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings

    Designed to meet the challenges of low- to high-exudating wounds. These dressings integrate innovative layer technology to absorb and evaporate moisture to help maintain optimal wound healing environment.

Resources

A diagram showing highlighted regular assessment as the top of a circle and management as the bottom.

Regular Reassessment

A comprehensive assessment should be taken to ascertain past medical history, current mobility, pain levels and nutrition, home and work environments, caregiver/family involvement and patient concerns.

A diagram showing regular assessment as the top of a circle and highlighted management as the bottom.

Management Best Practices

Reducing the pain and discomfort of VLUs includes best practice skin and wound care and managing chronic edema, which can help in managing VLUs.

A diagram showing regular assessment as the top of a circle and highlighted management as the bottom.

Management Using Compression Therapy

3M™ Coban™ 2 Two-Layer Compression System provides sustained, therapeutic compression for up to seven days,12 which has been shown to reduce chronic edema, support healing,12,13 reduce wound size,12 and significantly reduce leg pain.12 3M™ Coban™ 2 Compression Systems are easy to apply14 and are less bulky compared to four-layer compression systems.12,13

3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System — application and removal videos for Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs)

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  • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a shin.

    Below the knee basic application

  • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a below-the-knee amputation.

    Below the knee amputation application

  • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a foot.

    Below the knee application using the follow-the-roll technique

  • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a person's toes.

    Toe boot with below the knee application

  • A video still of a person wrapping an ankle in compression bandages.

    3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System

  • An icon of a leg being wrapped in compression bandages.

    Compression is therapeutic when sufficient pressure is applied. Too little pressure will minimize the benefits and too much pressure may cause damage or not be tolerated by the patient. Our compression layer is designed to be applied at full stretch, eliminating guesswork.

  • An icon of a shoe.

    The thin, lightweight materials create a breathable sleeve that allows patients to wear their own shoes and clothing. Because the bandages are comfortable to wear, patients are more likely to keep them on, increasing concordance and the potential for effective treatment.15,16

  • An icon of a lock.

    Our patented, interlocking materials adhere to each other, creating an inelastic sleeve that gently grips the skin and reduces the potential for uncomfortable slipping or bunching.13,15

Step 3: Provide therapeutic compression.

Two people holding hands while walking down a dirt path, one person with a leg wrapped with the 3M™ Coban™ 2 Two-Layer Compression System.

Venous Leg Ulcer (VLU) solutions

Contact a representative

Approximately 1% of the western population is affected by Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU).¹ This chronic condition can have a devastating impact on an individual’s physical and emotional well-being.² People living with chronic edema and VLUs want to engage fully in everyday activities — without feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious about what’s on their legs and feet. 3M can help manage challenges related to VLUs.

Cost of Venous Leg Ulcers

  • An icon of a person and three rectangles.

    Up to $912 million is spent anually in Canada to treat leg ulcers.*

    *Based on a 0.32% leg ulcer prevalence rate3 and an estimated cost per case of $7,500.3

  • An icon of a leg being wrapped in material on a pie chart.

    There is a 55% reoccurrence rate of healed Venous Leg Ulcers within the first 12 months of closure.5

  • An icon of a person laying in a bed with a medical cross above.

    28% of patients experience more than 10 Venous Leg Ulcer episodes in their lifetime.6

The ABC Model for Leg Ulcer Management

In 2015 Wounds International published a simplified approach to Venous Leg Ulcer care.7 The consensus document simplified assessment and management of Venous Leg Ulcers into three mains steps, or an ‘ABC’ model of care.7

  • Regular Reassessment

    Assessment and Diagnosis

    An icon of a medical cross on a clipboard.
    A diagram showing highlighted regular assessment as the top of a circle and management as the bottom.

    Regular Reassessment

    A comprehensive assessment should be taken to ascertain past medical history, current mobility, pain levels and nutrition, home and work environments, caregiver/family involvement and patient concerns.

  • Management (including education)

    Best Practices

    An old-fashioned nurse hat with a medical cross on it.
    A diagram showing regular assessment as the top of a circle and highlighted management as the bottom.

    Management Best Practices

    Reducing the pain and discomfort of VLUs includes best practice skin and wound care and managing chronic edema, which can help in managing VLUs.

    Step 1: Protect peri-wound skin.

    Cleanse
    Moisturize
    Protect
    Cleanse
    Moisturize

    Step 2: Optimize the wound environment.

    Manage Bioburden
    Provide Collagen and ORC
    • A brown medical dressing.

      INADINE™ PVP-1 Non-Adherent Dressing

      A reliable, efficient and non-adherent dressing designed to manage bacterial contamination and prevent infection in both chronic and acute wounds. It is indicated to manage ulcerative wounds and may also be used for the prevention of infection in minor burns and minor traumatic skin loss injuries.

    • A silver medical dressing.

      SILVERCEL™ Dressings

      Helps manage bacterial contamination and infection in moderate to highly exuding partial and full thickness wounds.

    • Two hexagonal PROMOGRAN™ PRISM™ Wound Balancing Matrix.

      PROMOGRAN™ / PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix

      Helps manage elevated protease and elastase activity in a wound. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and collagen materials has a greater effect in reducing both MMP and elastase activity than collagen alone.8,9

      Manage Bioburden
    • A brown medical dressing.

      INADINE™ PVP-1 Non-Adherent Dressing

      A reliable, efficient and non-adherent dressing designed to manage bacterial contamination and prevent infection in both chronic and acute wounds. It is indicated to manage ulcerative wounds and may also be used for the prevention of infection in minor burns and minor traumatic skin loss injuries.

    • A silver medical dressing.

      SILVERCEL™ Dressings

      Helps manage bacterial contamination and infection in moderate to highly exuding partial and full thickness wounds.

      • Provide Collagen and ORC
    • Two hexagonal PROMOGRAN™ PRISM™ Wound Balancing Matrix.

      PROMOGRAN™ / PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix

      Helps manage elevated protease and elastase activity in a wound. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and collagen materials has a greater effect in reducing both MMP and elastase activity than collagen alone.8,9

    Manage Exudate
    • Three beige and blue 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings in various shapes.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicon Foam Dressings

      Featuing 3M's innovative layer technology, 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings provide longer wear time than the leading competitive silicone foam dressings10 while being gentle to skin.

    • Two 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings, one square and one circular.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings

      Designed to meet the challenges of low- to high-exudating wounds. These dressings integrate innovative layer technology to absorb and evaporate moisture to help maintain optimal wound healing environment.

      Manage Exudate
    • Three beige and blue 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings in various shapes.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicon Foam Dressings

      Featuing 3M's innovative layer technology, 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings provide longer wear time than the leading competitive silicone foam dressings10 while being gentle to skin.

    • Two 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings, one square and one circular.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings

      Designed to meet the challenges of low- to high-exudating wounds. These dressings integrate innovative layer technology to absorb and evaporate moisture to help maintain optimal wound healing environment.

    Step 3: Provide therapeutic compression.

    Resources

  • Management (including education)

    Best Practices

    An old-fashioned nurse hat with a medical cross on it.
    A diagram showing regular assessment as the top of a circle and highlighted management as the bottom.

    Management Best Practices

    Reducing the pain and discomfort of VLUs includes best practice skin and wound care and managing chronic edema, which can help in managing VLUs.

    Step 1: Protect peri-wound skin.

    Cleanse
    Moisturize
    Protect
    Cleanse
    Moisturize

    Step 2: Optimize the wound environment.

    Manage Bioburden
    Provide Collagen and ORC
    • A brown medical dressing.

      INADINE™ PVP-1 Non-Adherent Dressing

      A reliable, efficient and non-adherent dressing designed to manage bacterial contamination and prevent infection in both chronic and acute wounds. It is indicated to manage ulcerative wounds and may also be used for the prevention of infection in minor burns and minor traumatic skin loss injuries.

    • A silver medical dressing.

      SILVERCEL™ Dressings

      Helps manage bacterial contamination and infection in moderate to highly exuding partial and full thickness wounds.

    • Two hexagonal PROMOGRAN™ PRISM™ Wound Balancing Matrix.

      PROMOGRAN™ / PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix

      Helps manage elevated protease and elastase activity in a wound. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and collagen materials has a greater effect in reducing both MMP and elastase activity than collagen alone.8,9

      Manage Bioburden
    • A brown medical dressing.

      INADINE™ PVP-1 Non-Adherent Dressing

      A reliable, efficient and non-adherent dressing designed to manage bacterial contamination and prevent infection in both chronic and acute wounds. It is indicated to manage ulcerative wounds and may also be used for the prevention of infection in minor burns and minor traumatic skin loss injuries.

    • A silver medical dressing.

      SILVERCEL™ Dressings

      Helps manage bacterial contamination and infection in moderate to highly exuding partial and full thickness wounds.

      • Provide Collagen and ORC
    • Two hexagonal PROMOGRAN™ PRISM™ Wound Balancing Matrix.

      PROMOGRAN™ / PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix

      Helps manage elevated protease and elastase activity in a wound. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and collagen materials has a greater effect in reducing both MMP and elastase activity than collagen alone.8,9

    Manage Exudate
    • Three beige and blue 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings in various shapes.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicon Foam Dressings

      Featuing 3M's innovative layer technology, 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings provide longer wear time than the leading competitive silicone foam dressings10 while being gentle to skin.

    • Two 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings, one square and one circular.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings

      Designed to meet the challenges of low- to high-exudating wounds. These dressings integrate innovative layer technology to absorb and evaporate moisture to help maintain optimal wound healing environment.

      Manage Exudate
    • Three beige and blue 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings in various shapes.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicon Foam Dressings

      Featuing 3M's innovative layer technology, 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressings provide longer wear time than the leading competitive silicone foam dressings10 while being gentle to skin.

    • Two 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings, one square and one circular.

      3M™ Tegaderm™ High Performance Dressings

      Designed to meet the challenges of low- to high-exudating wounds. These dressings integrate innovative layer technology to absorb and evaporate moisture to help maintain optimal wound healing environment.

    Step 3: Provide therapeutic compression.

    Resources

  • Management (including education)

    Compression Therapy

    An icon of a leg being wrapped in compression bandages.
    A diagram showing regular assessment as the top of a circle and highlighted management as the bottom.

    Management Using Compression Therapy

    3M™ Coban™ 2 Two-Layer Compression System provides sustained, therapeutic compression for up to seven days,12 which has been shown to reduce chronic edema, support healing,12,13 reduce wound size,12 and significantly reduce leg pain.12 3M™ Coban™ 2 Compression Systems are easy to apply14 and are less bulky compared to four-layer compression systems.12,13

    • An icon of a leg being wrapped in compression bandages.

      Compression is therapeutic when sufficient pressure is applied. Too little pressure will minimize the benefits and too much pressure may cause damage or not be tolerated by the patient. Our compression layer is designed to be applied at full stretch, eliminating guesswork.

    • An icon of a shoe.

      The thin, lightweight materials create a breathable sleeve that allows patients to wear their own shoes and clothing. Because the bandages are comfortable to wear, patients are more likely to keep them on, increasing concordance and the potential for effective treatment.15,16

    • An icon of a lock.

      Our patented, interlocking materials adhere to each other, creating an inelastic sleeve that gently grips the skin and reduces the potential for uncomfortable slipping or bunching.13,15

    3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System — application and removal videos for Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs)

    null

    • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a shin.

      Below the knee basic application

    • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a below-the-knee amputation.

      Below the knee amputation application

    • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a foot.

      Below the knee application using the follow-the-roll technique

    • A woman applying 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System to a person's toes.

      Toe boot with below the knee application

    • A video still of a person wrapping an ankle in compression bandages.

      3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System

Related Articles and Educational Content

A doctor wearing a stethoscope, speaking with a patient.

Get the answers you need.

Contact a representative

References

 

  1. Simka, M. & Majewski, E. Am J Clin Dermatol (2003) 4: 573. https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200304080-00007.
  2. Brem H, Kirsner RS, Falanga V. Protocol for the successful management of venous ulcers. Am J Surg 2004 Jul; 188 (1A Suppl):1-8.
  3. Graham, I.D.; Harrison, M.B.; Nelson, E.A.; Lorimer, K.; Fisher, A. Prevalence of lower-limb ulceration: a systematic review of prevalence studies. Adv. Skin Wound Care. 2003; 16(6): 305-316. doi: 10.1097/00129334-200311000-00013.
  4. Graham, I.D.; Harrison, M.B.; Shafey, M.; Keast, D. Knowledge and attitudes regarding care of leg ulcers. Can. Fam. Physician. 2003; 49: 896-902.
  5. Finlayson, K.; et al. Predicting the likelihood of venous leg recurrence: The diagnostic accuracy of a newly developed risk assessment tool. Int. Wound. 2018: 1-9.
  6. Weller, C.; Buchbinder, R.; Johnston, R. Interventions for helping people adhere to compression treatments for venous leg ulceration (Review). Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2013; 9.
  7. Harding K. Challenging passivity in venous leg ulcer care — the ABC model of management. Int Wound J. 2016; doi: 10.;1111/iwj.1260
  8. Cullen B, Watt P, Lundqvist C, et al. The role of oxidized regenerated cellulose/collagen in chronic wound repair and its potential mechanism of action. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2002;34(12):1544-1556.
  9. Gibson M, Cullen B. Can natural materials be adapted to optimize their efficacy in wound care? Poster presented at: Society of Advanced Wound Healing (SAWC); 2014; Orlando, FL.
  10. 10 cm x 10 cm and 15 cm x 15 cm (4 in x 4 in and 6 in x 6 in) dressings, based on In vivo studies EM-13977 and EM13978. Two times longer wear time than leading competitor silicone foam dressing when worn for 7 days (6.9 days for 3M™ Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam Dressing, 2.8 days for Mepilex(R) Border Foam Dressing).
  11. O’Meara S, Cullum N, Nelson EA, Dumville JC. Compression for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012.
  12. Mosti, G.; Crespi, A.; Mattaliano, V. Comparison Between a new, Two-component Compression System with Zinc Paste Bandages for Leg Ulcers Healing: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trail Monitoring Sub-bandage Pressures. Wounds. 2011; 23(5): 126-134.
  13. Moffatt, C.; Edwards, L.; Collier, M.; Treadwell, T.; Miller, M.; Shafer, L.; Sibbald, R.G.; Brassard, A.; (MC)Intosh, A.; Reyzelman, A.; Price, P.; Krause, S.M.; Walters, S.A.; Harding, K. A randomized controlled 8-week crossover clinical evaluation of the 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Compression System versus Profore™ to evaluate product performance in patients with venous leg ulcers. Int. Wound J. 2008; 5(2); 267-279.
  14. Collier M, Schuren J. Ease of use and reproducibility of five compression systems. J Wound Care 2007; 3M Supplement: 8-10.
  15. Schuren J, Andreas C. Pressure and slippage during 48 hours of compression therapy: a study on healthy volunteers. Poster presentation: SAWC 2010.
  16. Schnobrich E, Solfest S, Bernatchez S, Zehrer C, Tucker J, Walters SA. 7-Day, In-use Assessment of a Unique, Innovative Compression System. Data on file at 3M. Poster presentation: SAWC 2006.

 

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