Douglas Joseph, D.O., a Cleveland Clinic Vascular Medicine physician, provides a thorough answer and patient update.
Q: I’m a 28-year-old man with painful, large, bulging veins in my legs. I work long hours on my feet and I spend my free time playing sports. My legs seem to be getting worse and more painful. Other than wearing compression stockings, are there other options for treatment?
A: Yes, there are minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of varicose veins and venous valvular incompetence that may alleviate your pain and prevent further progression of your condition.
Varicose veins are a common condition affecting more and more people as our population ages. The incidence increases with age and is more common in individuals who spend long hours standing or sitting in one place. According to one study, 72 percent of women and 43 percent of men between the ages of 60 to 69 have visible varicosities.
Individuals with venous disease can have no symptoms or can have a range of symptoms that progressively worsen over time. Symptoms may include burning, aching, cramping, muscle fatigue and heaviness, which often leads to skin changes including discoloration and dry cracking skin. Patients may also develop recurrent infections due to skin breakdown and painful ulcerations.
It’s important to prevent the development of severe irreversible changes associated with progressive venous disease.
Update
The patient asking the question underwent a simple noninvasive test called venous duplex ultrasound scanning, in which sound waves were used to determine the direction of blood flow in the veins. It was determined that he had leaking valves in his veins, which caused his symptoms and the bulging varicosities. He underwent endovenous laser ablation and microincision phlebectomy. These are outpatient procedures performed without sedation or sutures. He was able to walk immediately following the procedure and return to his normal routine activity.
The Lakewood Hospital Vein & Vascular Center, located at 850 Columbia Road in Westlake, offers the most advanced techniques for diagnosing and treating a full range of varicosities in an outpatient setting. An individualized plan for each patient’s origin of varicosity is developed with the intent to treat the source, not the symptom. As a result, the problem will be solved correctly the first time to avoid any recurrence.
Dr. Joseph is a Cleveland Clinic physician and currently sees patients at the Lakewood Hospital Vein & Vascular Center. His clinical interests include varicose and spider veins, venous insufficiency and the swollen limb.
To learn more about the Vein & Vascular Center, click here.
To schedule an appointment at the Vein & Vascular Center, please call toll-free 877-SPA-LEGS (772-5347).