Did you know that if your work involves long hours of sitting, your legs could suffer badly? One of those conditions that affect the legs is chronic venous insufficiency. And the irony is, you can also get it if you spend most of your days standing. The fact is, the legs cannot take too much pressure either from sitting or standing.
You need movement. Otherwise, the pressure causes capillaries to rupture and the valves that control blood flow to weaken and collapse. The result? Blood pools in the legs and cannot flow back up – and that leads to soreness, ulcers, and wounds that don’t heal.
Overview Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Doctors define CVI as a condition that restricts the natural flow of blood from the legs back to the heart. We have already seen that CVI causes pressure to build up in the legs, so symptoms like swelling and wounds are very common.
You are most likely to experience CVI if you are pregnant, obese, or undertake strenuous occupational engagements that require prolonged standing or sitting. Smoking is a risk, too.
Causes of CVI
CVI is caused by whatever restricts blood from returning to the heart. Quite often, these include:
- Weak valves typically from a sedentary lifestyle
- A condition that interferes with venous reflux or the natural opening and closing of valves
- Weak veins, as in the case of pregnancy or gene factors
- Varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and other conditions that affect the vein
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CIV) Diagnosis
The first thing we do when patients visit our diagnosis facilities is conduct a physical exam and interview. We observe the affected leg for the presence of symptoms such as swelling, coloration, leathery skin, and ulcers. We also ask questions to learn more about whether patients have been experiencing any of the following:
- Pain
- Achy feet
- Heavy feeling in the legs
- Cramping feet
- Tingling in the legs
CVI diagnosis doesn’t stop there. In a typical state-of-the-art clinic, the doctors will perform procedures to verify the CVI and confirm the data gathered.
Some of the most common diagnostic approaches for CVI include:
Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV)
MRV involves sending radio frequencies and using a magnet to generate a detailed computer image of your internal organs. If used in legs suspected to have CVI, MRV will show the affected blood vessels to be thrombotic, clogged, or blood flowing in reverse direction.
Vascular ultrasound
Specifically, doctors prefer the Doppler ultrasound because it shows a clearer picture of the speed and direction of blood in the veins.
Treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CIV)
The most efficient approach to treating CVI is surgical intervention. Some of the best surgical therapies for chronic venous insufficiency include:
Thermal Ablation: Doctors apply heat to destroy the damaged veins in a procedure called thermal ablation. They use ultrasound to guide a catheter into the vein and break it down with heat.
Radiofrequency Occlusion: Doctors use electrodes to destroy the walls of the damaged vein in about 20 seconds. Anesthesia is used, and patients can go home on the same day.
Endovenous Laser Treatment: Using a catheter, the doctors direct a laser into the affected vein to collapse and destroy it.
Injectable Foam: This nonthermal CVI ablation uses a chemical foam. Doctors inject the Foam Into the affected vein via a catheter to dissolve it.
Medical Adhesive: Based on the nature of the condition, the medical experts may recommend treatment with an adhesive to close and seal the affected valve.
Phlebectomy: The surgeon removes the bad veins through small incisions made in the skin. This procedure may be done under local anesthesia.
Sclerotherapy: The medical experts insert a foam into the vein that causes it to shut. In the process, blood is rerouted to a healthy vein.
Stents: Microscopic mesh tubes are used to support the affected veins until they heal and are strong enough. It’s a quick, painless procedure.
Conclusion
CVI is easy to treat, and the prognosis is not life-threatening. At Washington Vascular Specialists, we are all about helping you heal faster through evidence-based, minimally invasive surgeries. Talk to us today for the best CVI treatment and care.
