Venous Insufficiency

There is a range of symptoms that includes the following [6]:

• Dull aches, heaviness and cramping in the legs
• Itching and tingling in the legs
• Pain that worsens when standing
• Swelling in the legs
• Redness of legs and ankles
• Changes in skin colour, especially at the ankles
• Superficial varicose veins
• Lipodermatosclerosis (when skin hardens and thickens on the legs and ankles)
• Ulcers on the legs and ankles
• Wounds on the legs or ankles that are slow to heal
• Cellulitis

Clinical history and physical examination (including examination of leg veins when the patient is sitting and dangling his legs) are usually adequate to allow a tentative diagnosis.

A duplex ultrasound will allow analysis of blood flow through the veins and rule out the differential diagnoses such as a blood clot.

Mild conditions are best handled with self-care steps. These include, but are not limited to the following [7]:

• Regular exercise
• Compression stockings to decrease swelling
• Reduction of weight
• Refraining from sitting or standing for long periods
• Frequent periods of rest with legs raised above the heart (this may include tilting the patient’s bed)
• Manual compression by lymphatic massage therapy
• Prompt attention to sores and wounds

Severe conditions may require more intensive treatments including:

• Sclerotherapy: Saline or a chemical solution is injected into the damaged vein which causes it to harden and then disappear [8].
• Venous ablation: Heat closes off and destroys the damaged vein and it disappears with time.
• Microphlebectomy: The damaged vein is removed through small incisions made in the skin near the vessel.
• Venous bypass: Blood flow is diverted around the damaged vein using a synthetic tube or a healthy blood vessel taken from elsewhere in the body to make the by-pass or detour.
• Angioplasty and stenting: A small medical balloon is used to widen the blocked vein in angioplasty when the inflated balloon inside the damaged vessel improves blood flow. The vessel is prevented from collapsing again by inserting a tiny metal mesh tube (stent) inside the vein [9].
• Endovenous laser ablation: This may be indicated for early signs of venous insufficiency such as tired or heavy legs with pain, persistent skin sores due to poor blood flow or lipodermatosclerosis.

Although chronic venous insufficiency tends to deteriorate over time, it can be successfully managed from the early stages with self-help steps such as adequate exercise, weight control and the use of pressure stockings [5].

The most common cause of venous insufficiency is superficial venous reflux and varicose veins. It is commonly found in aging patients who spend most of their day inactive [2].

There are several risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency. These include [3]:

• Age
• Family history
• Deep vein thrombosis - also called post-thrombotic syndrome
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Prolonged sitting or standing
• Tall height
• Arterio-venous fistula
• Phlebitis
• Thrombophilias

Recent studies tend to refute the suggestion that women are more prone to develop this condition compared to men.

Leg veins have valves in them to ensure one-way flow of blood back towards the heart. However, if these valves are damaged or the venous walls are weakened, blood may pool in the veins. Chronic venous insufficiency leads to development of varicose veins (both superficial and deep) and superficial venous reflux. The lack of healthy blood flow leads to edema fluid because of the change in local blood pressure altering the dynamics of flow between vascular and tissue fluids. This poor circulation leads to both inadequate tissue perfusion and removal of wastes with subsequent reduced tissue health. Injuries heal less rapidly and infections (e.g. cellulitis) can become more serious and lead to greater spread [4].

Healthy lifestyle including adequate exercise and avoiding excessive inactivity is needed to prevent venous insufficiency. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important. Should early signs develop, it becomes important to modify behaviour patterns so that chronic problems do not develop [10].

Deep veins in the legs have valves in them to ensure a unidirectional flow of blood towards the heart. However, these valves may can become damaged in certain conditions leading to the pooling of the blood in the veins [1]. Early treatment is recommended to prevent chronic insufficiency from developing. It is also known as chronic venous stasis and chronic venous disease.

Venous insufficiency refers to problems associated with inadequate blood returning from the lower legs to the heart. It occurs when the valves in the veins can no longer ensure the one-way flow of blood back to the heart. It is commonly found in ageing patients who spend most of their day inactive. There is a range of symptoms including dull aches, heaviness and cramping in the legs along with itching and tingling. There are changes in skin color along with the development of ulcers in extreme cases. Mild cases can be treated with self-help methods such as compression stockings and lifestyle changes. Exercise and healthy weight are important but resting with the feet above the heart or massage therapy will be beneficial. More severe lesions may need surgery and a variety of techniques are available for different types of chronic venous insufficiency. Maintaining an ideal weight and performing regular exercise are very important in preventing venous insufficiency or restricting it in an early phase.

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• Venous Insufficiency of the leg doppler findings
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