Definition
Definition
Chronic venous insufficiency is a problem with how your veins are working. Veins collect blood from the body to bring back to the heart. The veins have one-way valves throughout the blood vessel that keep the blood moving in the right direction, toward the heart. When these valves do not close properly, blood can leak backwards. This can cause a back up of blood in the veins especially areas of the body where veins must work against gravity like the legs.
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Causes
Causes
Chronic venous insufficiency
is caused by higher than normal pressure in the veins and damage to the valves that keep blood flowing toward the heart. It can be caused by blood clots or swelling and inflammation of the veins. Blood clots in the legs can damage the valves in the veins. When people get chronic venous insufficiency after a blood clot, it may be referred to as post-thrombotic syndrome. When it occurs after phlebitis, it may be referred to as post-phlebitic syndrome.
Causes of chronic venous insufficiency include:
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Phlebitis
- Absence or weakness of valves in the leg veins that is inherited at birth
- Increased venous pressure in the legs for any reason
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Chronic venous insufficiency is more common in women and in people aged 50 years and older. Other factors that may increase your chance of getting chronic venous insufficiency include:
Symptoms
Symptoms
Chronic venous insufficiency may cause:
- Swelling of the legs
-
Pain in the legs, especially after walking:
- Aching
- Dullness
- Tiredness
- Cramping
- Red or brown darkening of the skin on the legs
- Varicose veins
- Ulcers on legs, especially around the inside of the ankles
- Scaling skin on legs
- Hard, leathery skin on legs
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Images may be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with:
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at maintaining blood flow and preventing it from pooling. Treatment involves the following:
Improving Blood Flow
Special elastic stockings that squeeze the veins in the legs may be advised. They will help keep the blood from pooling. You may also be advised to raise your feet and legs above the level of your heart while resting or sleeping. You may need to do this several times a day.
Therapeutic massage of the lower legs may be advised to reduce discomfort and to drain fluid build up.
Movement
Walking and specific exercises for your legs and feet may help. Long periods of sitting and standing should be avoided.
Skin Care
Mineral bath therapy may help to improve skin redness. Bandages or antibiotic cream may be advised to help prevent skin infection. Wearing compression stockings may also promote healing.
Sclerotherapy or Ablation
Sclerotherapy may be advised. It involves injecting a caustic material into the affected veins. Scar tissue fills the veins. The blood is rerouted through functioning veins. Ablation is another procedure used to treat the veins. A tiny electrode is inserted into the affected vein. Electricity scars the vein and blocks it off.
With both treatments, your body will resorb the non-functional vein over time.
Surgery
Surgery is reserved for the few cases that do not respond to conservative treatment. The type of surgery will depend on the cause of the condition and the results of testing. Some possibilities include:
- Valve repair
- Vein stripping to remove the faulty vein.
- Bypass surgery—A new length of artificial vein is connected to 2 areas of the malfunctioning vein. This allows the blood flow to bypass the area that is not working.
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of developing chronic venous insufficiency, take these steps:
- Maintain a healthful weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit.
- Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
- Avoid wearing restrictive clothing such as girdles or belts.
RESOURCES:
Vascular Disease Foundation http://www.vdf.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
References:
http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/chronic-venous-insufficiency.aspx
Updated January 2011. Accessed June 29, 2015.
2/17/2009 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
O’Meara S, Cullum N, Nelson E. Compression for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(1):CD000265.
2/17/2009 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Carpentier PH, Satger B. Randomized trial of balneotherapy associated with patient education in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency. J Vasc Surg. 2009;49:163-170.
3/30/2015 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
dos Santos Crisóstomo RS, Costo DS, et al. Influence of manual lymphatic drainage on health-related quality of life and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Feb;96(2):283-291.
Last Updated: 3/30/2015