Causes and Risk Factors for Venous Ulcers

Licensed endovascular surgeon and medical director Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia has led the California Vein & Vascular Centers since 2012. Under Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia’s direction, the practice provides diagnostic and restorative treatment for several vein-related disorders, including venous ulcers.

Rare but serious venous ulcers are large, slow-healing wounds that develop on the skin. Patients with venous ulcers have poor blood circulation through some of their veins.

Rather than pushing blood back toward the heart, damaged veins allow blood to back up into the limbs, usually in the leg or lower ankle. Any wounds that develop in this area will not heal properly and are prone to infection.

Venous ulcers are more likely to develop when people have preexisting vein disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis or varicose veins. The condition is also associated with obesity because the extra weight puts pressure on the veins. A lack of movement due to injury, surgery, or advanced age can also increase the chance of developing venous ulcers.

Putting Accurately When a Golf Course Green Runs Fast

Serving the needs of patients with peripheral arterial disease, Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia guides multiple locations of the California Vein & Vascular Centers. Passionate about golf, Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia is consistently working to improve his game.

When it comes to putting, greens that run fast, such as those at Augusta National Golf Club, present a challenge to players. When the ball travels faster than normal, every undulation is magnified, which means that breaks come more into play. Having expert knowledge of how the ball will react to slight slope changes can be the difference between a hole and a significant miss.

With fast greens, long holes are also more achievable and it makes sense to take every shot seriously. Methodically determine the ideal line, from the entry point backward. Walk slowly around the entire hole, not only to visualize the line but to gain perspective through the feet of subtle slopes and breaks. Spend time on the low side, as it is most easy to see the slope from this angle.

How Pain Impacts the Body-Swing Connection

Following a clinical fellowship at the Duke University Medical Center, vascular surgeon Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia established the California Vein & Vascular Centers. Beyond his work in the medical field, Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia possesses an avid interest in golf. He recently earned level 1 certification from the golf training organization TPI, focusing on a concept known as the Body-Swing Connection.

The Body-Swing Connection refers to how movement, posture, and other kinaesthetic factors influence swing efficiency. Just as proper movements can improve distance and power in a swing, joint pain can restrict a player's range of motion and lower swing efficiency.

Rigidity in hip flexion or poor lower body strength can cause golfers to position their spine at an unhealthy angle while swinging. Over time this can cause lower back pain, which is experienced by up to 70 percent of golfers. Poor positioning of the knees can also place pressure on the knee joints which can lead to injury. Conversely, knee pain can prevent a player from executing the movements that improve golf swing.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer - Symptoms and Diagnosis

A member of the American Venous Forum, Hardeep Ahluwalia, MD, is the CEO and founder of California Vein & Vascular Centers. Dr. Hardeep Ahluwalia is experienced in vascular surgery and is a co-author of several medical papers, including “Use of TEVAR in the Treatment of a Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer with Acute Aortic Rupture and Dissection: A Case Report and Review.”

A disease that affects the wall of the aorta, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer is characterized by tears which penetrate the wall of the aorta that may lead to dissection of the aorta and subsequent accumulation of blood surrounding the affected area. The aorta is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart's left ventricle to other parts of the body and is the largest artery in the body. Periphery atherosclerotic ulcer is common in older men with a history of smoking, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstruction of the arteries that carries blood to the lungs. Often, penetrating artery disease doesn't show symptoms, and diagnosis of the condition may be by chance.

The disease can be diagnosed using imaging technology such as computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasonography. Although not common, life-threatening complications may arise if a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer causes severe rupture of the aorta. Surgical treatment may be required if the patient experiences abrupt blood pressure changes, pain that doesn't respond to other treatments, or when the doctor sees signs of an impending rupture.

About TPI and the TPI Certification for Medical Doctors

A successful business leader in the medical field, Hardeep Ahluwalia serves as the chief executive officer of California Vein & Vascular Centers. Besides playing golf, Hardeep Ahluwalia is also TPI Level 1 Certified.

Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) is an educational organization created in 2003 to connect golf teaching professionals, fitness trainers, and medical practitioners interested in understanding the functionality of the human body concerning the golf swing.

TPI focuses on researching and studying golfers from all levels and gathering anatomic data to understand the most efficient way to swing a golf club, the factors that can potentially lead to injury in a golf swing, and more. The continuous research promoted by the institution has resulted in the development of an educational program and on the TPI certification, which is aimed at golf instructors, coaches, and practitioners.

Medical professionals receive education related to golf-specific injuries and rehabilitation techniques. The TPI is an institution wholly dedicated to the study of the development of golf-related injuries, which makes it a reliable source for medical professionals who are interested in investigating this activity.