Resources

Date: June, 2023
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

Knowing what questions to ask your GP or other healthcare professional can help you make sure that you, or someone you care for, gets the right treatment for a leg or foot condition. Here are some questions that everyone who has a leg or foot condition should ask their GP or healthcare professional.

Date: June, 2023
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

This plan calls on senior leaders, decision makers and clinicians within the NHS to radically rethink the way people with leg and foot conditions are treated in order to reduce their risk of being harmed.

Date: May, 2023
Published by: Wounds UK
Authors: J. Fletcher, L. Atkin, D. Brown, R. Byrom, G. Cooper-Stanton, R. Elwell, S. Haigh, C. Irvine, C. Merrick
Access: Open Access
Condition: Compression Therapy

This best practice document has been written and reviewed by a group of highly experienced lymphoedema, vascular and tissue viability specialists and makes recommendations about the use of compression therapy in patients with heart failure.

Compression therapy is the gold standard of care for treating lower limb oedema and ulceration; however, uncorrected knowledge gaps and misconceptions surrounding its use for patients with heart failure can deter healthcare professionals from applying it. This document will also address common misconceptions about compression therapy and provide the information necessary to understand compression therapy’s fundamental principles, as well as the value of a multidisciplinary approach that ensures that the patient receives the best care possible.

Date: May, 2022
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

Here’s a simple guide with 10 top tips on how to appraise, diagnose, and treat leg ulcers to avoid harm.

This resource also explains with handy tips how you should involve patients with your approach to leg ulcer management.

Date: October, 2021
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Authors: Alison Hopkins at Accelerate
Access: Open – free to use

This film explores how you discuss these issues with your nurse, or healthcare professional. This film will help you learn to take better control of your lymphoedema.

Date: October, 2021
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

A series of appropriate real life stories and conversation with Legs Matter coalition patients and partners. Stories that will make you laugh, cry and think about the way we approach leg and foot conditions and what changes we can all make.

Date: October, 2021
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

A series of appropriate exercises for people with leg and foot conditions. These include:

• Exercise for healthier legs
• The importance of mobility in lower leg and foot health
• Getting fit after 50 – how Rolf overcame lymphoedema

Date: October, 2021
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

A series of films on diabetic foot ulcers. These include:

• Understanding and living with diabetic foot ulcers
• How to check your feet
• The importance of mobility in lower leg and foot health including the best shoes to wear
• What to do when a knock or sore isn’t healing
• Fungal feet – fungal infection of skin and nails and how to prevent fungal infection in feet

Date: October, 2021
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition & Corporate Partners
Access: Open – free to use

A series of films on compression hosiery covering – challenges, hints and tips

These include:

• Getting to grips with compression wraps
• The power of compression
• The right compression matters – simplifying compression selection
• Going beyond compression therapy – getting an accurate assessment and having the right treatment plan
• Going beyond compression to heal wounds, novel therapies
• Look after the skin you’re in!

Date: September, 2021
Published by: MA Healthcare Ltd
Authors: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open
Condition: Leg Ulcers

Making Legs Matter: A case for system change and transformation in lower limb management. Legs Matter were delighted to be approached by The Mark Allen Group to produce a consensus document which was then endorsed by The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).

Date: November, 2020
Published by: National Wound Care Strategy
Access: Open
Condition: Leg Ulcers

Lower limb – recommendations for clinical care

Date: October, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

We’re asking everyone to check their legs and feet and to speak up if things aren’t looking or feeling right. Even the smallest change to the way they look or feel can be a sign of something more serious.

Date: September, 2020
Published by: British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Authors: Samuriwo R, Christiansen N, Hopkins A.
Access: Open Access
Condition: Compression Therapy

Date: July, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Authors: Accelerate CIC
Access: Open – free to use

A simple guide for you to share patients with chronic wounds, it is crucial, now more than ever, that they engage in their care. Self-care can offer a means to maintain or even improve the capacity to live well over time.

Date: June, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Authors: Accelerate CIC
Access: Open – free to use

A simple film showing and explaining how important the correct footwear is if you have a leg ulcer or lymphoedema. And just how it’s really helpful to feel supported and comfortable in your footwear without compromising your fashion sense.

Date: May, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Access: Open – free to use

Nothing too strenuous here but some approaches which are easy for you to walk through with your patients and help support their determination to keep their legs healthy.

Date: April, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Authors: Accelerate CIC
Access: Open – free to use

A simple step-by-step guide showing how to look after a wound or skin tear, how to correctly dress the wound, remove a dressing and support for ongoing care.

Date: April, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Authors: Alison Hopkins at Accelerate
Access: Open – free to use

A series of short films explaining the optimising compression for the following areas:

• The use of Class 1 hosiery for early intervention
• Early intervention wounds lymphorrhoea (leaky legs)
• Increasing the effectiveness
• Increasing the therapeutic dosage of compression for lymphorrhoea and wound care after an ABPI

Date: February, 2020
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition, RCN & University of Keele
Authors: Julie Green
Access: Open – free to use

This checklist has been developed by Nurses, Service Users and other stakeholders for use with adults with wounds. Development has been supported by the RCN Foundation Funding.

Date: May, 2019
Published by: Legs Matter Coalition
Authors: Dr Leanne Atkin
Access: Open – free to use

The document headlines why non-healing wounds of the leg and foot are one of the UK’s biggest health challenges. Despite this, conditions of the leg and foot do not currently receive the care or attention they urgently need.

Date: October, 2018
Published by: The British Lymphology Society’s (BLS)
Authors: R. Elwell et al.
Access: Open Access
Condition: Lymphoedema & Cellulitis

The ABPI is the ratio of the blood pressure at the ankle to the blood pressure in the upper arm. Compared to the arm, lower blood pressure in the leg suggests blocked arteries due to peripheral artery disease (PAD). ABPI is calculated by dividing the systolic blood pressure at the ankle by the systolic blood pressure in the arm. ABPI is only part of vascular lower limb assessment along with the patient’s past medical history and current medication, and recording of symptoms and risk factors and a clinical examination being of paramount importance.

Date: May, 2018
Published by: New England Medical Journal
Authors: MS Gohel, F Heatley, X Liu, A Bradbury et al.
Access: Purchase fee to New England Medical Journal
Condition: Leg Ulcers

Venous disease is the most common cause of leg ulceration. Although compression therapy improves venous ulcer healing, it does not treat the underlying causes of venous hypertension. Treatment of superficial venous reflux has been shown to reduce the rate of ulcer recurrence, but the effect of early endovenous ablation of superficial venous reflux on ulcer healing remains unclear.

Date: March, 2010 updated November, 2017
Published by: Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
Authors: SIGN
Access: Open Access
Condition: Diabetic Foot

These guidelines will be of interest to healthcare professionals involved in the management of people with diabetes, including diabetologists, diabetes specialist nurses, general practitioners, pharmacists and practice nurses. They will also be of interest to people with diabetes and their carers, voluntary organisations and policy makers. The target users for SIGN 116 also includes those who interact with people with diabetes outside of the NHS, such as parents and teachers.

Date: November, 2017
Published by: Journal of Tissue Viability
Authors: S. Coleman, A. Nelson, P. Vowden, K. Vowden, U. Adderley et al
Access: Open Access
Condition: Wound Management

This article incorporates experts in the wound care field considering the evidence of a literature review and their experience to agree the assessment criteria to be included in the MDS.

Date: October, 2017
Published by: Evidently Cochrane
Authors: S. Chapman
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This venous leg ulcers article is for nurses, and is one of a series of evidence reviews written by Sarah Chapman for the British Journal of Community Nursing during 2017. It was published there in September.

Date: October, 2017
Published by: The Royal Society of Medicine Venous Forum
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

The Royal Society of Medicine Venous Forum has produced a useful one page guide to managing venous leg ulceration.

Date: September, 2017
Published by: NICE
Authors: NICE
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

Covers the use of compression stockings in the management of venous disease affecting the legs.

Date: July, 2017
Published by: Wounds UK
Access: Open Access - registration required to download
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This Best Practice Statement (BPS) is written for healthcare practitioners in all care settings who are treating patients with (or at risk of developing) venous leg ulcers. It will provide clear guidance based on relevant evidence and the experiences and opinions of clinicians, with a focus on practical, holistic and person-centred strategies.

Date: May, 2017
Published by: NICE
Authors: NICE
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

Covers the management of a person with venous eczema and lipodermatosclerosis.

Date: April, 2017
Published by: Wounds UK
Authors: D. Hardy, A. Williams
Access: Open Access - registration required to download
Condition: Lipoedema

These guidelines were developed by key opinion leaders, patients and UK third sector organisations, this document will be of interest to anyone involved in delivering support and clinical services to people with lipoedema, including GPs, lymphoedema therapists, community nurses, plastic surgeons, dietitians, commissioners, third-sector organisations and more.

Date: December, 2016
Published by: BLS & LSN
Authors: BLS & LSN
Access: Open Access
Condition: Lymphoedema & Cellulitis

This consensus document has been written and reviewed by a group of highly experienced lymphoedema specialists and makes recommendations about the use of antibiotics for cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema, and advises when admission to hospital is indicated.

Date: April, 2016
Published by: Evidently Cochrane
Authors: S. Chapman
Access: Open Access
Condition: Diabetic Foot

If you ever nurse people with diabetes (that’s most of you, I think), then keep reading.

Date: December, 2015
Published by: BMJ - British Medical Journal
Authors: JF. Guest, N. Ayoub, T. McIlwraith, et al.
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This article estimates the prevalence of wounds managed by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) in 2012/2013 and the annual levels of healthcare resource use attributable to their management and corresponding costs.

Date: November, 2015
Published by: NICE
Authors: NICE
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This scenario covers the management and referral of venous leg ulcers.

Date: August, 2015
Published by: NICE
Authors: NICE
Access: Open Access
Condition: Diabetic Foot

This guideline covers preventing and managing foot problems in children, young people and adults with diabetes. The guideline aims to reduce variation in practice.

Date: April, 2015
Published by: Wounds UK
Access: Open Access - registration required to download
Condition: Compression Therapy

The second edition of Best practice statement: Compression hosiery provides much-needed guidance about how to appropriately assess for, choose and apply compression hosiery, as well as how to manage patient patients within a well-defined multidisciplinary team.

Date: January 2015
Published by: British Medical Journal
Authors: E. Andrea Nelson, BSc (Hons) RGN PhD, Professor in Wound Healing and Una Adderley, BA (Hons) RGN PhD, Lecturer in Community Nursing, University of Leeds
Access: Open access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This is the most recent systematic review of the evidence for venous leg ulceration.

Date: September 2014
Published by: patient.info
Authors: M. Harding
Access: Open Access
Condition: Wound Management

This article is for medial professionals. Professional Reference articles are written by UK doctors and are based on research evidence, UK and European Guidelines. They are designed for health professionals to use.

Date: December, 2013
Published by: Wounds International
Authors: P. Chadwick, M. Edmonds, J.McCardle, D. Armstrong
Access: Open Access
Condition: Diabetic Foot

This document focuses on wound management best practice for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). It aims to offer specialists and non-specialists everywhere a practical, relevant clinical guide to appropriate decision making and effective wound healing in people presenting with a DFU.

Date: November, 2012
Published by: Cochrane Wounds Group & Wiley
Authors: S. O'Meara, N. Cullum, E. Andrea Nelson, J. Dumville
Access: Open Access
Condition: Compression Therapy

This article undertakes a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects on venous ulcer healing of compression bandages and stockings.

Date: August, 2012 updated February, 2018
Published by: NICE
Authors: NICE
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This guideline covers diagnosing and managing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in people aged 18 and over.

Date: August, 2010
Published by: Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
Authors: SIGN
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the management of chronic venous leg ulcers including: assessment; treatment; prevention of recurrence; provision of care; and a checklist for provision of information.

Date: February, 2009
Published by: Venous Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine
Authors: D. Berridge, T. Lees, J.Michaels, A. Davies, J. Earnshaw
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

The VEIN Project is a collection of six evidence-based articles concerning interventions for uncomplicated varicose veins, and the methods currently available.

Date: January, 2005
Published by: Nursing Times
Authors: B. King
Access: Nursing Times
Condition: Leg Ulcers

This article is explores the less common diseases associated with why wounds on the lower leg are more likely to have delayed healing.

Date: May, 2005
Published by: Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team – CREST
Authors: CREST
Access: Open Access
Condition: Lymphoedema & Cellulitis

These guidelines have been published by the Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team. (CREST), which is a small team of health care professionals established under the auspices of the Central Medical Advisory Committee in 1988.

Date: October, 2003
Published by: Nursing Times
Authors: D.Ruff
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

Using Doppler ultrasound to record an Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI). This test screens for clinically significant arterial impairment.

Date: May, 2001
Published by: World Wide Wounds
Authors: P. Vowden, K. Vowden
Access: Open Access
Condition: Leg Ulcers

An ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) of 0.8 is seen by some as a definitive decision-making number. However, its pivotal position is not based on hard evidence and the time has perhaps come to question our reliance on 0.8 and to look again at the concept of the mixed ulcer.

Published by: British Lymphology Society
Access: Open Access
Condition: Oedema

The aim of this document is to provide:

1. Practical information for clinical decision-making for health care professionals managing lymphoedema.

2. Key principles for practice.

3. How to undertake a full vascular assessment for those with lower limb lymphoedema.

Date: September 2022
Published by: National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP)
Condition: Compression Therapy

Compression socks and stockings come in a variety of sizes, lengths and colours. The new compression resource from the National Wound care Strategy Programme is for people with leg ulcers and describes things to remember when using compression therapy.