Leg Pain & Swelling
Are you dealing with leg swelling or leg pain that’s stopping you from going about your daily life? At Washington Vascular Specialists in Takoma Park, Largo, and Frederick, Maryland, diagnosis and treatment are available for many causes of leg swelling and pain. As a leading interventional cardiologist and vascular surgeon, Mubashar Choudry, MD, has decades of experience helping people with vascular-related leg swelling and pain. Call or schedule a visit online today to learn about treatment options for your symptoms.
Leg Swelling & Pain Q & A
What causes leg swelling and pain?
The causes of leg swelling and pain can be a variety of medical conditions that stem from fluid build-up (edema) or inflammation:
- Congestive heart failure
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Varicose veins
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Kidney issues
- Certain medications
- Arthritis
- Infections or non-healing wounds
Many of these conditions can cause overlapping symptoms or be aggravated by chronic health problems. Determining the cause of your leg pain and swelling is the first step to getting the help you need.
At Washington Vascular Specialists, Dr. Choudry evaluates and treats men and women with vascular issues that cause leg pain and swelling. He also provides referrals to other appropriate specialists, as needed.
What is venous insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is common, affects approximately 40% of the US population, and is one of the major causes of leg pain and swelling.
Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in your veins fail to work properly and blood begins to pool, especially in your legs. This pooling can cause pain, swelling, and may lead to varicose or spider veins, which can be painful, itchy, and unattractive.
Valve dysfunction runs in families, but venous insufficiency can also be caused by blood clots in your legs, also called deep vein thrombosis, if you don’t have a family history of valve dysfunction. Other causes of venous insufficiency include obesity, standing for long periods of time at work, advanced age, and pregnancy.
How is venous insufficiency diagnosed?
At Washington Vascular Specialists, Dr. Choudry performs ultrasound testing if he suspects venous insufficiency. He gently glides an ultrasound wand over the skin of your legs — most commonly your calves — to create a diagnostic image utilizing Doppler sound waves.
With this image, Dr. Choudry assesses how blood flows in your legs and identifies any areas of pooling. This image also helps him determine the extent of your condition to provide appropriate treatment recommendations.
How is venous insufficiency treated?
Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, Dr. Choudry may recommend conservative treatment methods like compression stocking, weight loss, and changing positions while trying to avoid standing for long periods.
If conservative methods aren’t effective or the condition is more severe, Dr. Choudry performs venous invasion treatment. During this minimally-invasive procedure, he corrects valve damage and pooling while you’re under local anesthesia.
Suffering from leg pain and swelling due to venous insufficiency isn’t necessary. Call Dr. Choudry or schedule a consultation online now to find relief.