Venous peripheral insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have difficulty sending blood from the legs back to the heart. With this condition, the walls of the veins are weakened and the valves which normally keep blood moving toward the heart are damaged. The veins of the feet and legs stay filled with blood particularly when standing.
Risk Factors
- Aging
- Overweight and obesity
- Family history
- History of deep vein thrombosis
- Pregnancy
Symptoms
- Swelling or edema in the legs and feet
- Dull ache
- Pain gets better when legs are elevated
- Thickening of the skin of the ankles
- Ulcers
- Wounds that are difficult to heal on the legs and ankles
Treatment and Management of Venous Peripheral Insufficiency
Our office recommends the following to prevent the condition from worsening:
- Wear compression stockings to decrease swelling
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
- Work with a nutritionist to lose weight
- Regular exercise
- Surgical procedures may also be necessary.
Our foot doctors also see patients weekly at the Wound Care Center at Northwest Hospital and Medical Center and are experts in treating both wounds and ulcers.
You may have been told by your doctor to see a podiatrist for this condition in addition to any other treatment you may be receiving. To contact our office call the Foot and Ankle Center of Lake City at 206-368-7000 or request an appointment online.
