Sclerotherapy is a popular treatment for varicose veins, and studies have reported clinical success rates of 80 to 90% in resolving the injected vessels. Using microfoam techniques, more than 90% of the treated vessels are resolved, particularly telangiectasias, reticular veins and small tributary varices. This method can be used to treat a wide range of venous diseases, such as saphenous reflux, affluent varices of various calibers, bleeding varices, pathological perforations, vascular malformations, pelvic congestion and unsightly reticular veins and telangiectasia. Venous insufficiency is a common cause of restlessness in the legs and affects more than 25% of the population.
Symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, restlessness and fatigue in the legs are often caused by vein disease. Many people don't realize that these symptoms are due to problems with venous circulation. Laser treatment can be used to close the veins that flow backward and new medical research has shown that treating venous insufficiency can cure RLS symptoms. In fact, in patients with RLS and venous insufficiency, 98% alleviated RLS symptoms by treating venous insufficiency and 80% had long-term relief. When patients report leg cramps, doctors usually check their potassium and calcium levels but rarely refer them to a venous Doppler exam even if their symptoms worsen after standing up or if they have physical signs of venous insufficiency such as spider veins or skin changes.
Patients with venous insufficiency often develop a rash on their legs called stasis dermatitis due to increased pressure in the capillaries which leads to the release of red blood cells and other inflammatory substances that cause a reddish discoloration of the skin. This rash responds best to lubrication or a mild steroid cream and compression tights or wraps to counteract venous hypertension. Ultimately, the best treatment is to correct the underlying cause of venous insufficiency. In addition, because of the underlying inflammation in the skin, patients with venous insufficiency are also prone to developing cellulitis which is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection most commonly occurring on the skin of the lower legs which can affect both the surface of the skin and the underlying tissue. It's often difficult to know for sure if the red, tender and swollen leg is solely due to venous insufficiency or if there is also a bacterial infection so antibiotics must be used to treat cellulitis but if the underlying cause is venous insufficiency then cellulitis is likely to return if the root cause is not treated. Dr.
Thomas Wright from St. Louis, Missouri was one of the first more than 200 surgeons in the country to obtain certification in phlebology from the American Board of Phlebology. He attended Duke University for his undergraduate degree and earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia before completing his residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr.
Wright has authored and presented several scientific articles on surgical techniques in the treatment of venous insufficiency. Venous hypertension is the most common cause of tissue edema in the lower limb and most commonly caused by venous reflux with congestive heart failure being a distant second. Leg edema caused by venous insufficiency is usually worse in one leg and often involves less fluid accumulation than edema caused by heart failure but it also affects lymphatic drainage and can result in massive edema in the lower leg (veno-lymphedema). Despite its significantly higher prevalence primary venous insufficiency is often not considered even after heart, liver and kidney problems have been ruled out as causes. Before sending a patient with restless legs syndrome to possible lifelong medication with possible side effects it's important to consider vascular and neurological problems as recent medical research published in Dermatologic Surgery showed that 22% of patients with restless legs syndrome also have venous insufficiency as revealed by Doppler exam. Studies show that treating venous insufficiency can relieve symptoms of restless legs syndrome with 98% experiencing relief from restless legs syndrome symptoms by treating their venous insufficiency and 80% having long-term relief.
The correct diagnosis of vein disease involves a review of patient's history of symptoms, physical exam and duplex ultrasound of veins which can help identify presence of reflux and its location as well as determine permeability of deep and superficial venous systems. The leg should be examined from saphenofemoral junction to ankle while patient stands. Most insurance companies cover symptomatic vein disease so patients don't have to live with discomforts associated with venous disorders. Laser Lipo & Vein Center in St.
Louis accepts all major insurance coverages.
