Venous Insufficiency & Chronic Venous Disease
Diagnosis and management of faulty vein valves causing pain, swelling, and skin changes
What is it?
Venous insufficiency is the underlying condition behind many vascular problems of the leg including varicose veins, leg swelling, skin changes, and venous ulcers. It occurs when the valves inside the leg veins stop functioning properly.
Normally, these valves act as one-way gates allowing blood to flow upward toward the heart and preventing it from flowing backward. When they fail, blood pools in the lower leg. The increased pressure gradually damages the surrounding skin and tissue.
Venous insufficiency exists on a spectrum. In its early stages, it may cause only mild heaviness and fatigue in the legs. In more advanced stages, it produces significant swelling, skin discolouration, thickening of the skin, and eventually chronic ulceration.
Who is this for ?
Legs that feel heavy, tired, or achy particularly toward the end of the day or after prolonged standing
Ankle or lower leg swelling that improves overnight with rest but returns during the day
Visible varicose veins or surface spider veins
Itching, burning, or a feeling of heat in the lower leg
Skin changes around the ankle discolouration, hardening, or a dry, flaky appearance
What happens During the Treatment ?
A Doppler ultrasound is the primary diagnostic tool. It shows how blood is moving through the veins and which specific valves have failed. This allows a precise, targeted treatment plan rather than a generalised approach.
Early-stage venous insufficiency is often managed conservatively with graduated compression stockings, regular walking, elevation of the legs, and weight management where relevant.
More significant valve failure particularly where it is causing symptoms that affect daily life, or where skin changes are developing may be treated with RF Ablation or EVLA to close the faulty vein.
Follow-up is an important part of management. The condition can affect multiple veins, and monitoring ensures that treatment results are maintained over time.
Doppler-guided diagnosis
Conservative first
RF or laser where needed
Long-term follow-up
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Venous insufficiency is a chronic condition it can be effectively controlled and its complications prevented, but it requires ongoing attention. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more straightforward the management.