Unna boot question

suebird3 · May 4, 2006

several years ago, i had a patient who required unna boots for stasis ulcers. got changed every week. any sooner, and the benefits were lost.

suebird :)

RNMOMTO4 · May 11, 2006

I work for Vascular Surgeons and have applied many Unna Boots! We have our patients keep them on for a week. Changing them daily does not allow the medication in the boot to work the way it should. Our boots have Calamine & zinc oxide in them. There have been times that we would change them twice a week when there was a large amount of drainage. If your ADON is looking for a daily dressing maybe he/she should try Aquacel AG (w/silver) or Polymem.

wenbonmac · May 20, 2006

Our wound clinic threw unna boots out the window. We've had much better healing rates with 3 or 4 layer compression if ABI's are okay.

cjwcwocn · Jul 9, 2006

Unna's boot is a fantastic tool for stasis ulcers only. It must be applied carefully and accurately. Weekly is sufficient unless exudate wets through the layers. Daily unna's boot changes is a waste of supplies. Our protocol is first change 2-3 days after application then weekly. Unna's boots are designed for ambulatory patients. Ambulating with the unna's boot supports the calf muscle and promotes venous return. Best choice when mild arterial compromise present.

englishrose · Jul 29, 2006

We use the profore lite compression dressings which is the 3 layer dressing. Most of our venous stasis ulcers are changed weekly unless there is an excess of exudate, then it is changed twice a week. Both are effective in healing the ulcers. Have the ADON do a literature search to back up her reason for changing the unna boots daily. Also suggest she look at evidence-base practices for venous stasis ulcer wound care.

smoo · Jul 29, 2006

We always change unna boots wkly, why is your ADON saying change dly if the physician order says q 3 days? Not really her call to make is it?

sharlynn · Jul 29, 2006

Your ADON needs a crash course in Wound Care! You want to disturb the wound bed as little as possible. It slows the healing process. Unna boots are definitely weekly unless drainage dictates otherwise.

englishrose · Jul 30, 2006

Can't hurt to ask her rationale for daily changes..can you imagine the cost..I know our pharmacy would have a cow if we did that. I would go by what the physician has ordered..if it is q3 days then do so and document the condition of the wound and casual suggest weekly or biweekly to the physician.

chronotis · Mar 29, 2008

Please be PATIENT with me, I'm NEW here, and also I'm HANDICAPPED, so, I'm slow typing this in, etc.

Please read ALL this entry, and Please respond, any response, any comfort in my ulcer trouble is Greatly Appreciated, and Bless You!

I had an ulcer on my LEFT leg, from july 2005 to maybe dec 2005, about 5 or 6 months.

Since that time, when my LEFT leg got better, I've had a sore RIGHT leg, I've had various ulcers on my RIGHT leg since about dec 2005 or jan 2006, IE about 2 and a quarter YEARS now.

I've been home treating my leg by laying "like tiles" 3 by 4 inch sterile pads coated on the skin side with a petroleum jelly looking stuff called "triamcin". I then wrap the triamcin padded leg with Ace, comfortably tight. If there's any sign of infection, I use Silver Cream "SSD" instead of Triamcin on certain pads.

The SSD cream has lately been acting differently, instead of "putting out the fire" it stings, maybe I've built up a "tolerance" to it?

When I went to the Doctor on Friday March 28, 2008, he was disappointed at how big the sore areas are now.

An Unna Boot was put on my right lower leg on Friday March 28, 2008, it's 6:25am Saturday morning March 29, 2008, and my leg is searing ( burning ) exactly like you put hot pepper juice on it, IE, it HURTS, and has sensitive places, where it hurts to touch my leg ( ulcer underneath ). My question is HOW LONG until it "settles down" and HOPEFULLY stops hurting???? I welcome public or private response to this!

I have trouble elevating my leg, when I try to do that, the leg starts to get spasms ("charlie horse?") and my foot twitches and jerks itself, ouch!

Also, I saw on a website that you are supposed to wait for the white "unna" gauze to DRY before putting the ace over it but they did not do that, I think.

How long does it go on hurting?

Thanks for ANY response!

Bless You,

Have a Nice Day!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Mar 29, 2008

I'm so sorry you are experiencing these problems.

And very sorry for your pain. Please understand that we as nurses are not in a position to give medical advice. I would ask that you bring these concerns to the attention of your PCP.

I do hope you get some resolution SOON! :)

I wish you the very best.

Closing thread now as it is over 2 years old.