An evaluation of the leg and foot ulcer treatment provided in Oslo

This study set out to gather more information about the treatment of leg and foot ulcers in the community in Oslo, Norway.

A structured questionnaire on leg and foot ulcer treatment was sent to 173 community nurses in Oslo, of whom 102 responded with data on 145 patients.

Of the sample, 55.9% had leg ulcers, 32.2% had foot ulcers and 11.9% both; 26.2% had diabetes. Thirty-four per cent of the patients had not had a diagnosis of leg ulceration. Saline was the preferred cleansing solution. Compression therapy was used on all types of ulcer. Pain was a problem for 52.9% of the patients, of whom 9% did not receive analgesia.

Nurses and doctors working in this community need to update their knowledge of wound treatments.