Treatment FAQ

what is treatment for venous insufficiency

by Savannah Fisher Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How serious is venous insufficiency?

DVT is a condition that happens when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body. These clots often form in the thigh or lower leg and can make symptoms of venous insufficiency worse. Treatment can include blood thinner medication, clot-busting medication, and endovenous therapy.

Is venous insufficiency really that serious?

What is the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency? Your healthcare provider will create a treatment plan for you based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history. How serious your case is. How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies. Your signs and symptoms. If your condition is expected to get worse. What you would like to do

How do compression socks help venous insufficiency?

A series of small incisions are made, a small hook is inserted below the skin and used to pull the vein out, and then it is surgically removed. In trained, skilled hands, this is an excellent procedure option to treat chronic venous insufficiency. This procedure must be performed by extensively trained physicians.

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What is the best treatment for venous insufficiency?

The most common treatment for venous insufficiency is prescription compression stockings. These special elastic stockings apply pressure at the ankle and lower leg. They help improve blood flow and can reduce leg swelling.

Can you reverse venous insufficiency?

First, I want to be clear that there is no way to actually reverse the cause of venous insufficiency, only the symptoms. Damaged valves inside the vein cannot be repaired, but there are plenty of ways to minimize the impact of the reflux they cause. Many of my patients do eventually become symptom-free.Oct 7, 2020

Is venous insufficiency curable?

Like any disease, CVI is most treatable in its earliest stages. Vascular medicine or vascular surgery specialists typically recommend a combination of treatments for people with CVI.May 14, 2019

What is the most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency?

The most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency is a current or past blood clot (called deep vein thrombosis, DVT). A lump in the deep veins can cause significant harm to the leg veins. Even if you are unaware of the damage, you may see symptoms of CVI develop.

Is walking good for venous insufficiency?

Exercise is a surprisingly effective treatment for venous insufficiency. Exercising gets your heart pumping, and the extra pumping force of your heart pushes the blood up and out of your lower legs. Walking is particularly beneficial.Jun 5, 2018

How serious is venous insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat. But it can be painful and disabling.

What is the most serious complication of venous insufficiency?

Left untreated, these damaged veins can cause serious complications, such as ulcers, bleeding, and a potentially fatal condition called deep vein thrombosis.Mar 17, 2021

Is there surgery for venous insufficiency?

Surgery may be performed for chronic venous insufficiency that fails to respond to other therapies, or for non-healing or infected venous ulcers. Either an open procedure or a catheter-based interventional treatment may be used.

Can venous insufficiency affect the heart?

So, to sum up, venous insufficiency doesn't affect the heart or cause heart problems to progress. On the other hand, existing heart problems, especially congestive heart failure, can make vein problems in the legs much worse depending on the degree of the heart issue.

Can venous insufficiency lead to amputation?

The risk of amputation primarily comes from two common vascular diseases, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and venous insufficiency. Both conditions are progressive diseases. As they get worse and the disease progresses, you experience different symptoms.

What are the stages of venous insufficiency?

We want you to understand the five main stages of chronic venous insufficiency, which include:
  • Stage 1: Spider Veins. Your first sign of trouble may be the development of spider veins. ...
  • Stage 2: Varicose Veins. ...
  • Stage 3: Leg Swelling. ...
  • Stage 4: Skin Discoloration. ...
  • Stage 5: Venous Ulcers.
May 20, 2021

Is aspirin good for venous insufficiency?

Adding Aspirin to Compression Therapy May Hasten Venous Ulcer Healing. Venous ulcers are a common complication of venous insufficiency and are usually treated with compression therapy. Compression is usually effective for healing, but the recurrence rate can be high.

What happens if your legs are not treated?

If this condition is not treated, you may have: Pain. Swelling. Cramps. Skin changes. Varicose veins. Leg ulcers.

What happens if you don't treat venous insufficiency?

This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs. If this condition is not treated, you may have: Pain. Swelling. Cramps. Skin changes. Varicose veins. Leg ulcers. Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat.

What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?

Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include: Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

What is a varicose vein?

Varicose veins. Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to treat. Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) Painful leg cramps or muscle spasms (charley horse) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions.

What is the best treatment for leg ulcers?

Medicines. Medicines that increase blood flow through the vessels may be used along with compression therapy to help heal leg ulcers. Aspirin can also be used to help ulcers heal. Medicines that draw excess fluid from the body through the kidneys (diuretics) are not often used.

Can aspirin help with ulcers?

Aspirin can also be used to help ulcers heal. Medicines that draw excess fluid from the body through the kidneys (diuretics) are not often used. But they may be used if other conditions such as heart failure or kidney disease are also linked to the swelling. Endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?

Symptoms of venous insufficiency include: swelling of the legs or ankles ( edema) pain that gets worse when you stand and gets better when you raise your legs. leg cramps. aching, throbbing, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs. itchy legs.

What is the procedure to remove varicose veins?

Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery: The surgeon inserts a thin tube with a camera on it to help see and tie off varicose veins. Vein bypass: A healthy vein is transplanted from somewhere else in your body. Generally used only in the upper thigh and only as a last option for very severe cases.

Why does blood pool in my legs?

In this condition, blood doesn’t flow back properly to the heart, causing blood to pool in the veins in your legs. Several factors can cause venous insufficiency, though it’s most commonly caused by blood clots ( deep vein thrombosis) ...

What does it mean when your legs are swelling?

swelling of the legs or ankles ( edema ) pain that gets worse when you stand and gets better when you raise your legs. leg cramps. aching, throbbing, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs. itchy legs. weak legs. thickening of the skin on your legs or ankles. skin that is changing color, especially around the ankles.

What does it mean when your legs are itchy?

leg cramps. aching, throbbing, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs. itchy legs. weak legs. thickening of the skin on your legs or ankles. skin that is changing color, especially around the ankles. leg ulcers. varicose veins. a feeling of tightness in your calves.

What is IV dye?

During a venogram, your doctor will put an intravenous (IV) contrast dye into your veins. Contrast dye causes the blood vessels to appear opaque on the X-ray image, which helps the doctor see them on the image. This dye will provide your doctor with a clearer X-ray picture of your blood vessels.

How does sclerotherapy work?

In sclerotherapy, a chemical is injected into the damaged vein so that it’s no longer able to carry blood . Blood will return to the heart through other veins, and the damaged vein will eventually be absorbed by the body. Sclerotherapy is used to destroy small to medium veins.

What causes venous insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward. Valve damage may occur as the result of aging, extended sitting or standing or a combination of aging and reduced mobility. When the veins and valves are weakened to the point where it is difficult for the blood to flow up to the heart, ...

What is CVI in a patient?

What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs.

What is it called when blood is pooling in the leg?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. CVI causes blood to “pool” or collect in these veins, and this pooling is called stasis. Valve Inside Vein.

Why do the muscles in the feet contract with each step?

Calf muscles and the muscles in the feet need to contract with each step to squeeze the veins and push the blood upward. To keep the blood flowing up, and not back down, the veins contain one-way valves. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward.

What is the cause of CVI?

CVI most commonly occurs as the result of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, a disease known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). CVI also results from pelvic tumors and vascular malformations, and sometimes occurs for unknown reasons.

How long does it take for a DVT to develop?

As many as 30 percent of people with DVT will develop this problem within 10 years after diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of CVI?

New varicose veins. Leathery-looking skin on the legs. Flaking or itching skin on the legs or feet. Stasis ulcers (or venous stasis ulcers) If CVI is not treated, the pressure and swelling increase until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries) burst.

How to treat venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency can often cause dry, itchy skin that is prone to rashes, and in some advanced cases, infections and wounds. Skin irritation, or dermatitis, can sometimes be reversed with a good skin care regimen to include the following: 1 Hydrate- opt for greasy products like coconut oil versus runny lotions, and apply to towel-dried, intact skin 2 Avoid harsh chemicals like perfumes and anti-microbials 3 Avoid touching and rubbing the skin throughout the day 4 Wear a clean pair of compression socks daily.

Does insurance cover vein insufficiency?

Most insurances do cover procedures for venous insufficiency. Some of your options for treatment may include: Sclerotherapy.

How do veins work?

To understand venous insufficiency, we must first understand the function of veins. Veins are meant to return used, deoxygenated blood to the heart via the use of small, internal, one-way valves. Insufficient veins cease to perform this function efficiently due to weak valves which slow the movement of blood, allowing it to pool in the legs. At times, the blood may actually flow toward the feet, instead of toward the heart. This is called “reflux.” Reflux can manifest in a number of ways. Common symptoms include some or all of the following: 1 Spider and/or varicose veins of the legs, groin, or private areas 2 Leg pain 3 Leg heaviness 4 Leg tiredness 5 Leg itchiness 6 Leg restlessness 7 Discoloration of the skin of the ankles and legs 8 Infections of the skin of the legs (cellulitis) 9 Slow-healing or non-healing wounds of the ankles or legs

What are the symptoms of a swollen leg?

Common symptoms include some or all of the following: Spider and/or varicose veins of the legs, groin, or private areas. Leg pain. Leg heaviness. Leg tiredness.

What are compression socks?

Compression socks/stockings. Graduated compression socks are part of the treatment plan for every patient diagnosed with venous insufficiency, and I know, you HATE them. But allow me to humbly suggest you just haven’t found the right pair yet. The right pair of compression socks should help to reverse symptoms like leg heaviness, achiness, fatigue, ...

Do compression socks help with venous insufficiency?

Graduated compression socks are part of the treatment plan for every patient diagnosed with venous insufficiency, and I know, you HATE them. But allow me to humbly suggest you just haven’t found the right pair yet. The right pair of compression socks should help to reverse symptoms like leg heaviness, achiness, fatigue, and swelling.

How does elevation affect your legs?

When you elevate your legs, you allow gravity to naturally bring blood back toward your heart. This will likely make your legs feel less achy and swollen, and feels especially good at the end of a long day. Even people with mild cases of venous insufficiency may get substantial reversal of symptoms after just a few minutes of elevation. Ideally, your legs should be above the level of your heart, but any elevation is better than none. You can purchase special leg elevation pillows if you want to maximize your results.

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Common, Effective Treatments

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Kabir Sethi
Malfunction of venous walls and/or valves in systemic circulation, especially in the legs, that result in peripheral pooling of blood known as stasis.
Condition Highlight
Urgent medical attention is usually recommended by healthcare providers
Condition Highlight
Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
How common is condition?
Very common (More than 3 million cases per year in US)
Is condition treatable?
Treatable by a medical professional
Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
Often requires lab test or imaging
Time taken for recovery
Can last several years or be lifelong
Condition Highlight
Common for ages 50 and older
Condition Highlight
More common in females
Condition Highlight
Family history may increase likelihood
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Preventative Measures

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