Select Venous Procedures
Understanding Leg Vein Problems
Understanding Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Understanding Spider and Varicose Veins
Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Treating Ulcers
Understanding Leg Vein Problems
Leg veins carry blood from your feet back to your heart. If a vein is damaged, blood flow back to the heart is reduced. As a result, you may develop vein problems in your legs.
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A Damaged VeinIf heredity, an injury, or a blood clot weakens a vein, the wall near the valve begins to sag. The valve may no longer close fully, allowing blood to move backward. Most vein problems begin with damaged veins. |
A “Ropy” VeinOnce a vein is damaged, blood pressing against the sagging wall may cause the vein to bulge or twist like a rope. Eventually, the valve can’t close. Blood may begin to pool or clot in the vein. |
Pooling BloodA valve that doesn’t close cannot hold blood. Blood moves backward. It pools around the first healthy valve that stops the blood from moving backward. |
Clotting BloodWhen blood moves slowly, it may collect above a valve. Over time, the blood forms a clot, which may grow big enough to close off the vein. |
Vein problems can cause leg conditions such as varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, or chronic venous insufficiency. Your health care provider can give you more information.
Understanding Chronic Venous Insufficiency
When damaged valves or deep vein thrombosis causes ongoing leg swelling, blood begins to pool in the veins. This eventually causes chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI can’t be cured, but you can control leg swelling to reduce the likelihood of ulcers (sores).
Recognizing the Symptoms
- If you stand or sit with your feet down for long periods, your legs may ache or feel heavy.
- Swollen ankles are possibly the most common symptom of CVI.
- As swelling increases, the skin over your ankles may show red spots or a brownish tinge. The skin may feel leathery or scaly, and may start to itch.
- If swelling is not controlled, an ulcer (open wound) may form.
What You Can Do
Reduce your risk of developing ulcers by doing the following:
- Increase blood flow back to your heart by elevating your legs, exercising daily, and wearing elastic stockings.
- Boost blood flow in your legs by losing excess weight.
- If you must stand or sit in one place for a period of time, keep your blood moving by wiggling your toes, shifting your body position, and rising up on the balls of your feet.
Understanding Spider and Varicose Veins
Do you often hide your legs because of the way they look? You may have noticed tiny red or blue bursts (spider veins). Or maybe you have veins that bulge or look twisted (varicose veins). If so, there are treatments that can help.
What Are the Symptoms?
Spider veins look like tiny webs on the ankles and upper thighs.
Ropy, dark blue varicose veins are most common on the thighs, calves, and feet.
Spider veins or varicose veins may never be a problem. But sometimes they can cause legs to ache or swell. Your legs may also feel heavy and tired, or like they’re burning. These symptoms may be more severe at the end of the day. Prolonged sitting or standing can also make your symptoms worse.
Who Gets Spider and Varicose Veins?
Anyone can get spider or varicose veins. But vein problems tend to be hereditary (run in families). Other factors that can affect veins include:
- Pregnancy, hormones, and birth control pills
- A job where you stand or sit a lot
- Extra weight or lack of exercise
- Age
What Can Be Done?
Spider and varicose veins can affect the way you feel about yourself. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. There are treatments that can ease symptoms and make your legs look better.
Your Treatment Options
Treatment may include self-care or ablating the varicose veins with RF energy. Please see the VNUS® links in this section. Spider veins and some varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy. Large varicose veins may need VNUS®.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Treating Ulcers
Blood pools around the ankles. The area may look puffy or swollen, and the skin may dimple when pressed.
Fluid leaks from the veins into surrounding tissue. The ankle may bulge, and the skin may glisten.
Your doctor or nurse may apply a special dressing to help the ulcer heal and protect it from infection.
An ulcer forms if the skin is broken by a bump or a scratch. The ulcer appears watery and may seep fluid.
If leg swelling due to chronic venous insufficiency isn’t controlled, an ulcer (open wound) can form. Although ulcers vary in size and shape, they usually appear on the inside of the ankle.
Treating an Ulcer
- Visit your doctor. Ulcers need frequent medical care. Special dressings may be applied. You may be given antibiotics to fight infection.
- Elevate your legs often to reduce swelling. The ulcer needs oxygen-rich blood to heal. This blood can’t reach the ulcer until swelling is reduced.
VNUS Treatment
If your ulcer is caused by a vein problem, an in-office procedure may help! Please see the VNUS® links in this section.
When to Call Your Doctor
- You have an increase in pain.
- You develop a fever of 101.0°F or higher.
- The ulcer oozes discolored fluid or smells bad.
- Swelling increases suddenly or the dressing feels tight.