Chronic vein problems are very common and often unrecognized as a threat to health. When the valves in your veins stop working, blood pools in the lower leg area and pressure builds up in the vein. This is known as chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. Left untreated, CVI can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and threaten the loss of life and limb. The most costly and debilitating features of CVI are ulcers on the ankle and lower leg that generally heal slowly and have a high risk of returning again and again. More than 2 million people worldwide have advanced CVI with skin changes or ulcers, with more than 20,000 new patients in the U.S. diagnosed this year alone. For people with CVI in the Tennessee Valley, relief could be right around the corner at USA Vascular, a division of University Surgical Associates.
“Like the diabetic foot ulcer, many people with chronic vein problems that include skin changes and ulcerations don’t realize what’s wrong in the early stages. It’s a sign of increasing venous hypertension in our society that goes underrecognized and underdiagnosed,” says Michael Greer, MD, vascular surgeon with USA. “Our goal is to identify vein problems earlier – before ulcers form – and when they’re most easily and effectively treated.”
Could You Be at Risk?
People at risk for CVI are those with a history of blood clots in their legs, although not everyone with the condition has this prior history. Noticeable signs are swelling, especially at the end of the day, and discoloration at the ankle area. As it worsens, small scabs or ulcers occur at the ankle areas. These will continue to progress and develop into open, weeping ulcers that can be very painful.
Individuals who develop the most severe forms of venous problems have severe pain, chronic open ulcers, skin discoloration of the ankles or shins, thickening skin, restriction of blood flow, and swelling in the feet, ankle or legs that does not respond or worsens despite non-surgical treatment. This happens because of increased pressure in the leg veins. Essentially, fluid builds up in the legs because some part of the veins isn’t working like they should.