Chronic Venous Insufficiency

If you suffer from swelling in your legs or ankles, pain when walking that stops when you rest, varicose veins, painful leg cramps, muscle spasms or leg ulcers, you may have chronic venous insufficiency. These can be common symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. While not usually a serious health issue, the symptoms can be debilitating and unsightly.

What causes chronic venous insufficiency?

The valves in your veins work to keep blood flowing back toward your heart. When the valves stop working, blood pools in your legs, causing pain and swelling and resulting in varicose veins. Factors that contribute to chronic venous insufficiency include:

Lack of exercise
High blood pressure
Smoking
Phlebitis (swelling and inflammation in a vein close to the skin)
Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in your calf or thigh)

If you are overweight, pregnant, have had previous blood clots or have a family history of vein issues, you are more at risk for chronic venous insufficiency.

How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed and treated?

Your primary care doctor or a vascular specialist will look at your medical history, perform an exam, and schedule a test to check the blood flow, blood flow speed and vein structure in your legs.

With that information, your doctor or a vascular specialist can assess the severity of your chronic venous insufficiency and develop your treatment plan.

Depending on your age and the severity of your condition, your treatment may include:

Elevating your legs
Compression stockings
Lifestyle changes
Medicines
Sclerotherapy (treatment for spider and small varicose veins)
Radiofrequency ablation (which heats and closes a vein)
Surgery (ligation and stripping of affected veins)

These methods are part of treatment strategies for chronic venous insufficiency.

What happens next?

If your condition is mild, compression socks and medicines may be recommended. More serious cases may require sclerotherapy, ablation or surgery.

Ask questions and follow your physician’s treatment plan. That way, you’ll know what to expect and how long your treatment and recovery will take.

What if you have varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins. They can be a chronic venous insufficiency symptom or the result of genetics, standing for hours at a time, being overweight, being physically inactive, having a previous leg injury or even being pregnant.

If you need help with varicose veins, Tanner has vascular and general surgeons on staff who can provide a noticeable, lasting solution.

Learn more about varicose vein diagnosis and treatment now.

Effective treatments for venous insufficiency

For those seeking relief from chronic venous insufficiency, several treatment options are available. A popular approach is neuromodulator injection therapy, which can help alleviate discomfort and improve blood flow. This therapy, along with other treatments for chronic venous insufficiency, can be tailored to individual needs.

Consult with a specialist to explore how neuromodulator injection therapy and other treatments can benefit your condition.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Frequently Asked Questions

What should you not do with venous insufficiency?
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods without moving, as this can exacerbate symptoms. Elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings can help manage the condition.

Can you live a normal life with chronic venous insufficiency?
Yes, with proper management and treatment, many people live normal lives with chronic venous insufficiency. Adhering to lifestyle changes and treatments can significantly improve quality of life.

What are two of the main causes of chronic venous insufficiency?
Two primary causes are deep vein thrombosis and phlebitis. Both conditions can damage vein valves, leading to chronic venous insufficiency.

Can you stop venous insufficiency from progressing?
While it may not be possible to completely stop the progression, early intervention and treatments like neuromodulator injection therapy can slow it down and manage symptoms effectively.

Is venous insufficiency hard on your heart?
Venous insufficiency primarily affects veins in the legs but can increase the workload on the heart if left untreated. Proper management can prevent complications.