Venous Insufficiency

Venous insufficiency causes lower extremity swelling and increases your risk of non-healing ankle and foot wounds. At Modern Podiatry in Hampton and Atlanta, Georgia, empathetic podiatrists Kibibi Wanzu, DPM, Brittany C. Sumpter, DPM, and Ronderick Williamson, DPM, can diagnose and treat venous insufficiency using techniques such as sclerotherapy in their office. To receive guidance for venous insufficiency, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is a condition that causes blood pooling in your lower extremities. Healthy veins have one-way valves that open only to send blood upwards to your heart. 

However, damaged valves allow blood to trickle back into the veins and collect there. When this problem happens consistently, it’s called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). It affects around 2.5 million American adults today.

Venous insufficiency can eventually lead to serious problems like venous ulcers and non-healing open sores that typically develop just above the ankle. An untreated venous ulcer is highly susceptible to infection, gangrene (tissue death), and damage to the bones and tissues in your lower leg and feet. 

Eventually, a venous ulcer could require foot and ankle salvage to avoid amputation. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of venous insufficiency and get help in its early stages. 

What are the signs of venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency symptoms to watch for include: 

• Heavy-feeling legs
• Leg cramping
• Leg itching 
• Leg tingling
• Restless legs, particularly at night
• Leg pain that eases when you lift your legs
• Lower leg and ankle area swelling
• Discolored brownish skin around the ankles
• Varicose veins (large ropy veins that stand out from the skin) on your legs
• Wound that heals slowly on your lower leg

Late-stage venous insufficiency often features leg ulcers, which usually look like open sores with uneven borders. The skin around the ulcer may be shiny, tight, and red. Infected ulcers often drain pus and smell bad. 

The Modern Podiatry team can perform a physical exam along with vascular testing to diagnose venous insufficiency even in the early stages when your symptoms aren’t yet severe. 

How is venous insufficiency treated?

Venous insufficiency treatment usually involves lifestyle changes and medical treatments, such as: 

• Wearing compression stockings
• Elevating your legs when at rest
• Avoiding excessive sitting or standing
• Walking or exercising regularly
• Sclerotherapy to close damaged veins with an injected solution
• Endovenous ablation to close damaged veins with light energy
• Wound care
• Foot and limb salvage procedures 

The Modern Podiatry team specializes in minimizing the effects of venous insufficiency in your lower extremities. They offer a range of effective treatments, from conservative care to vein treatments and wound care, all in their Hampton office. 

If you have symptoms of venous insufficiency, don’t wait until you have an ulcer to get help. Call Modern Podiatry or schedule an appointment online today.