venous insufficiency

A duplex ultrasound that looks for the presence of reflux in the superficial and deep system of veins is the most useful test for venous insufficiency.

When superficial veins are insufficient, they are structurally broken. The vein walls are too stiff and don't have enough elastic in them. Vein valves that keep blood from flowing backwards are broken too. Nothing works right in these veins and we don't the technological ability to fix them yet. So we remove them. This can be done with surgery, sclerotherapy, and/or thermal ablation (laser/RF).

If you have discoloration, your venous insufficiency is serious and you are at risk of developing a leg ulcer, even if your legs feel fine. Elevate your legs. Wear compression stockings daily. See a phlebologist or vein specialist. Phlebology.org for a referral. Treatment is office based and under and hour. Covered by almost all insurance.

As Dr. Gotvald so nicely explained, pulses are felt in arteries but venous insufficiency results from vein trouble and not artery. Many people with venous insufficiency have no arterial trouble and their pulses are completely normal. It would be uncommon, but not unknown, for someone to have arterial (and no pulses) and vein trouble.

Veins return blood to the heart. CVI occurs when there is reduced flow or pooling in leg veins, causing leg swelling, inflammation, & ulceration. The most common cause is when the one-way valves don't work well, leading to venous reflux, or back flow, with blood pooling in the veins. This can result from genetic predisposition, pregnancy, injuries or blood clots. See a vein specialist for help.

Venous valvular insufficiency or venous reflux (venous blood flowing backwards because vein valve are broken) can cause varicose veins and swelling. When prolonged and severe though, the high pressure and inflammation that is produced from the reflux can cause skin damage and even ulceration. When this occurs, it is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency (or the older term venous stasis).

Varicose veins, swelling and possibly brownish discoloration of the legs. Pain and discomfort may also be associated. If you have any of these symptoms you should see your doctor and ask for vascular surgical opinion.

difference visible immediately:In lymphedema the toes and foot are swollen too, in venous insufficiency the toes are never swollen!! Venous insufficiency is caused by superficial ( varicose veins) or deep (clot) vein problems. Lymphedema is either a birth defect visible later in life or after surgery to remove lymph nodes in cancers.

sirweb.org. Click patient tab at top. Click on varicose veins from left side menu.

vascular web.org or sirweb.org for good info