Immediate care of the lower limb
Downloaded content date
PDF created on: 13 May 2026.
Downloaded from: https://uatlearncyan.rcn.org.uk/Search/Emergency-and-Urgent-Care-Topic-Page/Emergency-and-Urgent-Care-Topic-Page/Identifying-immediate-and-necessary-lower-limb-care/Immediate-care-of-the-lower-limb.
Please check: https://rcnlearn.rcn.org.uk for a more up-to-date version of this content.Last reviewed: 18/12/2025
Immediate care of the lower limb
Immediate care of the lower limb
If a patient has a lower limb wound, the National Wound Care Strategy Programme's leg ulcer recommendations advise the following immediate action.
The recommendations advise:
- cleansing the wound and surrounding skin
- recording a digital image of the wound
- applying emollient to the surrounding skin
- applying a simple non-adherent dressing, with sufficient absorbency (as per local guidance and formulary).
Further management
Arrange for a comprehensive assessment to be undertaken within 14 days, including ABPI.