What Are The Venous Insufficiency Treatment Guidelines?
Venous insufficiency (CVI) happens when veins can’t send blood from your extremities back to your heart, making blood pool inside your veins. This produces leg swelling, heaviness, varicose veins, pain, and cramps. You should see a vein specialist if you start noticing one or more of these symptoms. In our vein clinic, we can help you by defining some venous insufficiency treatment guidelines for you.
What are the risk factors?
History of blood clots, obesity, smoking, sedentarism, pregnancy, hereditary factors, old age, tall height.
Common symptoms
Weak and itchy legs, tightness, cramps, color changes, varicose veins, ulcers, restless leg syndrome.
Potential Causes of Venous Insufficiency
Blood clots
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) happens when a blood clot develops inside a deep vein. This is one of the most common causes of CVI.
Trauma
Having leg injuries or traumas (injuries, clots, surgeries) can increase the risk of developing venous insufficiency.
Genetic factors
If there’s a history of venous insufficiency in your family, you are at higher risk of developing this condition at some point in your life.
Treating Venous Insufficiency With Vein Removal
Your vein doctor will create a treatment plan for you according to your specific needs. One of the treatments they may recommend is vein removal, which consists of sealing and removing the unhealthy portions of the vein. This procedure helps treat CVI and other related conditions.
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Facts About Vein Removal
Phlebectomy
Minimally invasive procedure that uses a needle to remove affected veins beneath the surface of the skin.
Vein stripping
Surgical procedure performed under general or local anesthetic to remove parts of the vein.
What to expect
In both cases, you can usually go home the same day of the procedure.
FAQ About Leg Heaviness
How is venous insufficiency diagnosed?
The first step is a physical exam performed by a vein specialist, along with some basic questions.
A venogram may also be required, as well as a duplex ultrasound.
Which procedures can be used to treat venous insufficiency?
There are several factors to consider before defining a treatment.
If your condition is not too advanced and it’s easily treatable, your vein doctor may recommend compression stockings to help you improve blood flow, along with simple exercises.
However, if the condition is advanced, our doctor will set up some chronic venous insufficiency treatment guidelines for you and a comprehensive treatment plan.
Some of the procedures your doctor may recommend are:
- Phlebectomy or vein stripping: a vein doctor numbs sections of your legs and removes damaged veins.
- Sclerotherapy: one of our doctors injects medicine into the blood vessels to shrink them.
- Laser removal: used to seal and remove the unhealthy portions of the vein.
How is vein removal performed?
Vein removal is a minimally invasive procedure. We use this to seal off and remove the unhealthy portions of the vein.
There are two different types of vein removal: vein stripping (surgical) and phlebectomy (minimally invasive). Both procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day.
Will I experience any pain after the procedure?
You may experience some discomfort. However, the potential risks and side effects are minimal.
What are the aftercare instructions?
It’s important you take care of yourself after the procedure. You shouldn’t perform any physical activity. Remember to follow all the instructions your doctor will give you.
What are the potential risks of vein removal?
As in any procedure where the skin is penetrated, vein removal involves the risk of infection. There’s also a minimal risk of skin pigmentation.
