Do you suffer from:

• Swollen feet
• Swollen ankles
• Swollen ankles and feet
• Swelling in legs
• Swelling in feet
• Swelling in ankles

Have you noticed that your legs have been swelling more? Are your shoes tighter? Are your socks cutting deeper sock rings? When you get home in the evening, do you get that old gotta-put-your-feet-up feeling? These are all common signs of progressive venous insufficiency. 

At the Vein Center of North Texas, Dr. Clint Hayes, MD diagnoses and treats the underlying conditions that frequently cause these signs and more. Dr. Hayes has been providing expert medical and surgical treatment of diseased veins since 2004, when he established the Vein Center of North Texas. If your swollen legs are becoming more bothersome, call (903) 893-0123 and book an appointment today.

Q: What conditions cause swelling in legs?

A: If you’re noticing more leg and ankle swelling, especially after a long day at work, you could be dealing with venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can inhibit the blood return back to the heart, resulting in pooling of the blood and development of swelling in legs and ankles.

Venous insufficiency most frequently results from failure of venous valves in the saphenous veins. Valvular failure impedes normal flow back to the heart leading to blood pooling at high-pressures. The pooling and high pressures force fluids into the muscles, tissues, and skin – leading to lower extremity edema.

Q: When should I see a doctor about my leg swelling?

A: In addition to venous insufficiency, conditions such as DVT, heart failure, kidney disease, liver conditions, arthritis, leg infections, etc. frequently lead to leg swelling. If your ankle swelling or leg swelling is becoming persistent or more bothersome, you should probably have them evaluated. Dr. Hayes and his expert team at the Vein Center of North Texas are experienced at pinpointing the causes of leg complaints and getting you the treatment you need. 

Q: How do you diagnose the cause of leg pain and swelling?

A: Dr. Hayes and his expert team have been successfully diagnosing and treating swollen, painful legs for almost twenty years. They begin with a consultation to review the medical history of your leg symptoms and to examine your legs. If venous insufficiency is suspected, they will perform a duplex ultrasound to look for conditions such as DVT, SVT, and venous insufficiency.

Q: Are water pills a good treatment of leg swelling?

A: If your edema is rare, mild, and related to too much volume, a little diuretic (water pill) can be quite effective. If the swelling has become routine or increased in severity, medications have little to offer, as they primarily work in the kidneys rather than in the legs. Edema is best addressed by treating the underlying conditions.

Q: Does leg swelling cause long-term problems?

A: Edema fluid contains cellular waste products that are toxic to the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Over time, the inflammation generated by these toxins causes scarring and thinning of the skin and underlying tissue. This process is subtle at first, but results in the skin becoming discolored, hard, tender, and fragile. Eventually, venous leg ulcers can develop after even minor injuries. 

Q: What is the treatment for leg swelling?

A: Treatment options range from lifestyle modifications (including daily exercise, weight loss, routine use of compression stockings, etc.) to minimally invasive procedures such as VenaSeal™, Closure Fast™, Laser ablation, sclerotherapy, etc. Your best treatment options will depend on your other medical conditions, your particular pattern of diseased veins, your overall health, etc. If your medical history, physical examination, and duplex ultrasound reveal venous insufficiency, Dr. Hayes will discuss with you the best treatment options to fix your painful, swollen legs.