Venous Insufficiency and Venous Ulcers
What is it?
Venous insufficiency is a chronic condition in which blood does not flow normally through the veins from the feet back up towards the heart. This may happen because the valves are damaged, allowing blood to leak backwards and stagnate (pool) in the veins of the lower legs. This in turn increases the blood pressure in the legs and causes chronic inflammation in the veins.
Venous ulcers are often an outcome of long-term untreated venous insufficiency. The area where the blood pools can ulcerate. These ulcers appear mostly on the lower legs, just below the ankle. Left untreated, they also have a capacity to become quickly infected or even gangrenous.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
- Chronically swollen ankles
- Swollen feet and calves
- Dull aching, cramping or feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet that worsens with standing
- Brown discolorations on the skin
- Flaking skin around ankles
- Venous insufficiency is diagnosed via an imaging test using duplex ultrasound to determine whether there is structural damage in the vein.
Treatment
The treatment goal is to reduce and manage leg swelling to improve return of the blood upwards towards the heart. Elevation of the legs (above the heart) and exercise may be recommended. Compression stockings may be an option. Medication may be prescribed to thin the blood, particularly in patients with a high risk of blood clots. When venous ulcers are present, it is important to prevent infection and promote healing.
More serious cases may be treated with injections, called sclerotherapy, or with surgical procedures, including ablation, vein stripping, bypass surgery, and valve repair.
Each patient is evaluated, and treatment will be individualized for the patient's circumstances. For a consultation call 203-xxx-xxxx.
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