Venous Insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems returning blood from the legs to the heart. Chronic venous insufficiency is a long-term condition. It is very commonly due to malfunction (incompetence) of the valves in the veins. It can also occur as a result of an old blood clot in the legs.

 

Causes of venous insufficiency

Normally, the valves in the deep veins of the leg keep blood flowing back to the heart. When long-term (chronic) venous insufficiency occurs, the walls of the veins weaken and the valves become damaged. This causes the veins to remain full of blood, especially when standing.

 

Risk factors for venous insufficiency include:

• Age
• Family history of this condition
• Being a woman (related to the levels of the hormone progesterone)
• Past records of deep vein thrombosis in the legs
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Stay seated or standing for a long time
• Tall

Symptoms of venous insufficiency

Pain or other symptoms include:

• Severe pain, heaviness or cramping in the legs
• Itching and tingling
• Pain that gets worse when standing
• Pain that improves when you lift your legs

Changes in the skin of the legs include:

• Swelling of the legs
• Irritated or dry skin if scratched
• Skin that is red or swollen, dry (stasis dermatitis)
• Superficial varicose veins
• Thickening and hardening of the legs and ankles skin (lipodermatosclerosis)
• Ulcers  or wounds that take time to heal in the legs and ankles

Tests and exams for venous insufficiency

Your health care provider like vascular surgeon NJ will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Diagnosis is often made on the basis of the appearance of the leg veins when standing or sitting, with legs dangling.

 

A duplex ultrasound examination of the leg can be performed to:

• Observe the blood flow in the veins
• Discard other problems with the legs, such as a blood clot

Treatment for venous insufficiency

The top doctors NJ may suggest that you take the following personal care measures to help manage venous insufficiency:

• Avoid sitting or standing for long periods. Even moving your legs slightly helps the blood circulate.
• Be careful of wounds if you have open ulcers or infections.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Exercise regularly.

Compression stockings can be worn to improve blood flow in your legs. These stockings gently squeeze your legs to propel the blood into them. This helps prevent swelling of the legs and, to a lesser extent, blood clots.

The NJ monthly top doctors may recommend more invasive treatments, if you have:

• Leg pain, which can make them feel heavy or tired
• Ulcers or sores on the skin caused by poor circulation in veins that do not heal or are recurrent
• Thickening and hardening of the skin of the legs and ankles (lipodermatosclerosis)

 

Venous Insufficiency Treatment options include:

• Sclerotherapy– Water is injected with salt (saline) or a chemical solution into the vein. The vein hardens and then disappears.
• Phlebotomy– Small surgical cuts (incisions) are made in the leg near the damaged vein.
• Procedures that can be carried out in a provider’s office or office, such as using a laser or radiofrequency.
• Excision of varicose veins– Used to remove or tie a large vein in the leg, called the superficial saphenous vein.

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