Leg Wounds That Won’t Heal? It Could Be Vein Disease — Not Just Old Age

If you or someone you care for has a sore or wound on the lower leg that just won’t go away — especially around the ankle — don’t ignore it. What might look like a simple scrape or irritation could be something much more serious: a venous leg ulcer.

At South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute, Dr. Polly Kokinos sees this every day. What starts as a dry patch or scab ends up becoming an open sore that refuses to heal. Often misdiagnosed or ignored, these ulcers are a key warning sign of vein disease — a condition that requires expert care to avoid worsening problems, including infection and even amputation.

What Is a Venous Leg Ulcer?

A venous leg ulcer is an open wound that develops because of poor blood flow through the veins in your legs. When the valves inside your veins stop working properly, blood pools near the ankles. This increased pressure causes skin to weaken and break down.

These ulcers typically appear:
– Around the inner ankle
– After a minor injury or bump
– With symptoms like swelling, aching, or skin discoloration

Why These Wounds Don’t Heal On Their Own

Unlike a cut or scrape that closes up in a few days, venous ulcers don’t heal because blood isn’t flowing correctly. The skin stays inflamed and weak. Over-the-counter creams won’t fix the problem — and in fact, waiting too long can make things worse.

Common signs it’s a venous ulcer:
– The wound’s been there more than 2 weeks
– It gets red, weepy, or has a yellow film
– The area around the wound smells or is warm to the touch
– The sore starts small and slowly gets bigger

Dr. Polly Kokinos: Fighting to Save Limbs in Santa Clara County

At South Bay Vascular, Dr. Kokinos leads the fight to save legs from unnecessary amputations caused by undiagnosed vein disease. She’s a board-certified vascular surgeon who works with diabetic patients, seniors, and those told there’s “nothing more to do.”

What sets her apart?
✔️ On-site vein ultrasound diagnostics
✔️ In-office procedures that don’t require a hospital stay
✔️ Immediate access to wound care and vascular services
✔️ Compassionate, clear explanations every step of the way

Real Patients. Real Results.

“My dad’s sore was getting worse every day. We had no idea it was vein-related until Dr. Kokinos stepped in. She saved his leg.”
— Grace Y., San Jose

“I kept wrapping it up with bandages, but it wouldn’t heal. I wish I’d gone to her sooner.”
— Oscar V., Gilroy

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If you or a loved one has a wound near the ankle that won’t heal, don’t chalk it up to age or diabetes. These are warning signs of a deeper issue — one that can lead to hospitalization or even limb loss if left untreated.

📞 Call South Bay Vascular at (408) 376-3626 today to schedule an appointment with

Dr. Polly Kokinos.

 Confident Legs, Confident Life. There’s help. And there’s hope.

AWARD WINNING WOUND CARE IN SAN JOSE

The O’Connor Wound Care Center, which celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary this year, was the site of a ceremony on Thursday, June 18th 2019 honoring it with a Commendation from the City of San Jose. The honorable Sam Liccardo as well as all the City Council Members were involved in recognizing the O’Connor Wound Care Center for distinguished service to the citizens of San Jose. The plaque was presented by Council Member Dev Davis to Dr. Polly Kokinos of South Bay Vascular Center, who is the Medical Director of the O’Connor Wound Care Center, as well as to the entire staff of the Wound Care Center.

Chronic wounds are a silent epidemic in the United States affecting almost 7 million people. If not healed in a timely fashion, they can lead to loss of limb and life. The wound care center was started 25 years by Drs. Bruce Lehrman, Peter Schubart, and Jude Roussere, who are still active in it today. It is a testament to their vision and understanding that chronic wounds are best treated by a multidisciplinary approach and by a team that focuses on them. Their are 10 physicians from 6 different specialties all of whom are have special training in wound care, advanced treatment modalities for wounds, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our team of twelve nurses and five additional staff members are committed to these patients, and several of them have worked at the center for decades. We follow published clinical practice guidelines to ensure the best outcomes and our wound healing rates are over 98%.

We are the only JHACO accredited center in the Bay Area, and are proud to offer advanced therapies such as skin substitutes, the LUNA laser system, and Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment for difficult to heal chronic wounds. We have treated and healed over 15,000 patients.

Should your patient need our expert help, please call us at 408-947-2804 for an appointment.