Learn About Chronic Venous Insufficiency
High venous pressures and elevated cellular toxins create daily inflammation of the skin and soft tissues of the lower legs. With time, this persistent inflammation creates lower leg aching, pain, tenderness, swelling, brawny darkening, fibrosis, and ulceration, a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. Dr. Clint Hayes at the Vein Center of North Texas diagnoses and successfully treats patients with chronic venous insufficiency on a daily basis. Dr. Hayes takes the time to discus the details of your condition with you and develop a personalized plan to treat your chronic venous insufficiency.
Q: What is chronic venous insufficiency?
A: Chronic venous insufficiency is the condition that develops when longstanding lower leg venous hypertension and elevated levels of toxic cellular metabolites produce skin and subcutaneous tissue inflammation around the ankle and lower leg leading to produce persistent edema, dark skin discoloration, itching, scarring, and eventually ulceration.
Q: What does chronic venous insufficiency look like?
A: Longstanding chronic venous insufficiency leads to shiny, hard, tender, and darkly pigmented skin that is easily injured and heals slowly. There are frequently areas of dry, flaky venous eczema and the characteristic white scar tissue of atrophie blanche.
Q: What causes of chronic venous insufficiency?
A: Chronic venous insufficiency is the result of poor venous circulation with longstanding high venous pressures and elevated levels of metabolic toxins. Poor venous circulation is usually due to valvular failure and venous reflux in the saphenous veins and perforator veins. Risks factors for valvular failure include:
- Age
- Genetics
- Prolonged standing
- Obesity
- Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
Q: What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?
A: The daily inflammation seen in chronic venous insufficiency leads to the progressive symptoms commonly experienced by sufferers.These symptoms include:
- Daily swelling in your lower legs and ankles
- Progressive aching, pain, and tenderness
- Shiny, dark discolored skin
- Itchy, flaky skin of the lower legs
- White scar tissue around the ankles
- Skin breakdown and ulceration
Should you notice any of these signs or symptoms, call the Vein Center of North Texas at (903) 893-0123 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Hayes will ensure you get the expert evaluation and treatment you need to get you back on your feet.
Q: How is chronic venous insufficiency treated?
A: Chronic venous insufficiency is treated by eliminating the diseased saphenous and perforator veins that are causing the reflux and venous hypertension. The diseased veins are diagnosed by taking a detailed medical history, performing a careful physical examination, and utilizing a duplex ultrasound test to look for blood clots and areas of venous reflux.
Once the diseased veins are identified, a plan of action is generated. Depending on the veins involved and the pattern of reflux, definitive treatment of chronic venous insufficiency is accomplished using EVLA, radiofrequency ClosureFast ablation, VenaSeal closure, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, etc. to eliminate the venous reflux, re-establish normal circulation, and allow the soft tissue to begin healing. Give us a call today to diagnose and treat your chronic venous insufficiency.