Venous Insufficiency Specialist

What is venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency, including chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), results from the veins in your legs not working efficiently. It causes poor blood flow from your legs to your heart and the pooling of blood in your veins. Skin conditions that arise from it are called venous stasis dermatitis.

What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?

Symptoms commonly associated with venous insufficiency include:

• Leg or ankle swelling
• Ankle discoloration
• Tired or aching legs
• New varicose veins
• Ulcers
• Flaky or itchy skin on your legs or ankles
• Leathery-looking skin

To reduce the risk of severe complications, schedule an evaluation with Sarasota Vascular Specialists at the first sign of a problem.

What are the risk factors for venous insufficiency?

Anyone can develop venous insufficiency, but some factors raise your risk of developing it. These include:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Being over 50
• Blood clots
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Family history of venous insufficiency
• Being female
• Extended time spent standing or sitting

About 40% of people in the United States have chronic venous insufficiency.

How does my provider diagnose venous insufficiency?

To determine if you have venous insufficiency, your provider checks your vital signs, completes a physical exam, and reviews your symptoms and medical history. They examine your legs, ankles, and feet and often recommend a vascular ultrasound to assess your blood circulation.

How is venous insufficiency treated? 

Common treatments for venous insufficiency include:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes that help reduce chronic venous insufficiency include:

• Not sitting or standing for long periods
• Getting regular exercise
• Losing weight if you’re overweight
• Elevating your legs

Your specialist might also recommend that you wear compression stockings or socks.

Medications

Taking prescribed medicines can reduce the symptoms of venous insufficiency and its risk factors. Your provider prescribes the medicine that best matches your needs.

Sclerotherapy

During sclerotherapy, your specialist injects an irritant solution or foam into the disease veins, causing them to collapse and gradually disappear.

Endovenous ablation

Laser, radiofrequency, and light energy, or, in some cases, a medical adhesive, is used to close off diseased veins. Your provider inserts a catheter into targeted veins to complete the ablation.

Surgery

The Sarasota Vascular Specialists team offers surgery to remove or widen blood vessels or reroute blood from diseased veins to healthy ones. The surgery also reduces the risk of complications linked to venous insufficiency.

Call the Sarasota Vascular Specialists office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.