There was an interesting article in a medical journal for primary care physicians (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0715) that highlights the common misunderstanding that even doctors have related to patients with leg swelling. We understand that the causes of leg swelling are numerous and can be multifactorial, involving heart issues, prior surgery, medication side effects and weight gain. However, one of the very common causes is venous insufficiency, or backflow in the surface leg veins.
Venous insufficiency usually leads to surface varicose veins, which can cause symptoms of aching, heaviness and fatigue, but one frequent complaint we hear is leg swelling. Backpressure in certain leg veins leads to pooling of the blood in the lower leg, as gravity exerts its downward pressure. As this occurs over the hours of the day, patients find that the legs are tight or swollen by day's end. This is especially true with patients working retail, teachers and nurses.
Compression hose are beneficial in alleviating the symptoms, but ultimately, a venous ultrasound is needed to determine if veins are a cause of the swelling. If so, then the Venefit Procedure is a commonly used technique to eliminate the blood pooling, leading to resolution of the leg swelling. I've seen numerous patients with problematic leg swelling who finally made it to see me after exhausting many other options. Many have had venous reflux (chronic venous insufficiency) leading to leg swelling. Once the Venefit Procedure has been completed, they've seen a significant reduction is swelling and leg comfort.
Unfortunately, as seen in the article sent to many primary care physicians, this evaluation and treatment is not even mentioned once, though other options with no scientific validation are promoted (horse chestnut extract). Please refer to our website, or the American Venous Forum for further information. To seek evaluation for your leg swelling, contact one of the Capitol Vein & Laser offices in Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia. Either Dr. Rosenberg or Dr. McNeill will do a thorough evaluation, assess your medical condition, and advise accordingly. Both doctors are very experienced vascular surgeons with many years of expertise in treating venous disease.
