What Is Venous Insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is an abnormal circulatory condition with decreased return of blood from the leg veins up to the heart, with pooling of blood in the veins. Normally, stop valves in the vein close to keep blood from flowing downward with gravity. When the valves in the vein become weak and don't close properly, they allow blood to flow backward, or reflux.

What Are The Symptoms Of Varicose Veins Or Venous Insufficiency?

Symptoms caused by venous insufficiency and varicose veins include aching pain, easy leg fatigue, and leg heaviness, all of which worsen as the day progresses. Many people find they need to sit down in the afternoon and elevate their legs to relieve these symptoms. In more severe cases, venous insufficiency and reflux can cause skin discoloration and ulceration which may be very difficult to treat. One percent of adults over age 60 have chronic ulceration.

How Common Is Venous Disease And Varicose Veins?

Chronic venous disease of the legs is one of the most common conditions affecting people. Approximately half of the U.S. population has venous disease—50 to 55% of women and 40 to 45% of men. Of these, 20 to 25% of the women and 10 to 15% of men will have visible varicose veins. Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people age50 and older, and 15-25% of all adults. People without visible varicose veins can still have symptoms. The symptoms can arise from spider veins as well as from varicose veins, because, in both cases, the symptoms are caused by pressure on nerves by dilated veins.

Diagnostic Testing For Varicose Veins.

The presence of varicose veins is most often confirmed by ultrasound. This is a painless procedure in which a radiologist or technician moves an instrument (transducer/receiver) about the size and shape of a computer mouse across the outside surface of the skin. Sound waves are transmitted through the skin and allow the technician to "see" the size, shape and texture of the patient’s veins. A picture is displayed on a computer screen as the radiologist or technician takes the ultrasound.

Diagnostic Testing For Varicose Veins

The presence of varicose veins is most often confirmed by ultrasound. This is a painless procedure in which a radiologist or technician moves an instrument (transducer/receiver) about the size and shape of a computer mouse across the outside surface of the skin. Sound waves are transmitted through the skin and allow the technician to "see" the size, shape and texture of the patient’s veins. A picture is displayed on a computer screen as the radiologist or technician takes the ultrasound.

The use of ultrasound will help your interventional radiologist determine if you are a candidate for a minimally-invasive treatment, known as Varicose Vein Ablation.

For more information on Varicose Vein Ablation contact Great Basin Imaging's Interventional Radiology Clinic at 775-283-3033.