Can Venous Insufficiency be Reversed?

healthy vein

Can Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) be reversed?

Unfortunately the short answer to this question is no; but CVI can be treated with minimally invasive procedures which can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life tremendously!

Chronic Vein Insufficiency Causes

In order to understand why venous insufficiency or peripheral venous insufficiency cannot be reversed, we must look at what causes venous disease. The most prevalent cause of venous insufficiency is genetics. A family history of vein disease is the biggest predictor of whether or not most people will develop vein problems. If a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle has or had problems with veins, it is likely that the reason you have developed them is purely genetic. Currently in medical research, there is no way to prevent this trait from being passed down the family tree.

Another venous insufficiency cause is hormones. Particularly in women, any shift in hormones; normal menstrual cycle, hormonal birth control, hormone replacement, menopause, and a combination of factors in pregnancy; cause the valves and walls of superficial veins to become weak. It is the weakness of these vein structures that cause the symptoms associated with venous insufficiency including: leg fatigue, leg heaviness, leg swelling, nighttime leg cramps, leg pain, restlessness of your legs, vein itching, itchy legs, prominent varicose veins, and spider veins.

Trauma is another cause of venous insufficiency. Although only a few cases of venous insufficiency can be linked to trauma alone, it is quite possible that a traumatic injury to the leg can cause enough damage that would affect the venous system.

Research has suggested that other health conditions may contribute to the weakening of the venous system including; lower extremity lymphedema, diabetes, obesity, smoking, hypertension, and arterial disease. However, direct correlations among these factors are still being researched, and current studies reveal conflicting results.

Regardless of which of the above venous insufficiency causes directly contribute to your specific venous condition, once the superficial veins are insufficient (weak); similar to a stretched out rubber band, there is not a way for these veins to regain their elasticity. It is the loss of elasticity or compliance that causes symptoms. These peripheral venous insufficiency symptoms become worse as time progresses and can be aggravated by things such as standing in one place (working as a hairstylist, teacher, cashier) and sitting for long periods of time (driving, desk jobs, flying in a plane). At night leg restlessness and leg cramping can wake people from sleep or make it difficult to fall asleep. Summertime heat can aggravate symptoms as it causes veins to become dilated and weaker.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment

Although there is no cure for venous insufficiency or venous disease, symptoms can be helped with compression stockings, exercise, cooler weather, leg elevation, and some homeopathic regimens. When these conservative methods no longer help, straight forward, minimally invasive procedures exist to alleviate the discomfort associated with venous insufficiency. These modern techniques cause little pain and fast recovery for the sufferer.

If you are experiencing leg fatigue, heaviness, swelling, night cramps, pain, restlessness, itching, prominent varicose or spider veins, have your legs evaluated by our qualified Vein Specialist to discuss appropriate treatment options for your specific case.

I have spider veins that hurt!

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | May 9, 2019 | Comments Off on I have spider veins that hurt!

Question: I have spider veins on my legs and they really hurt to the touch. Can that be dangerous to my health? Answer: In the large picture, pain associated with spider veins is not life threatening.  It would be worthwhile to have an evaluation by a qualified provider to see if these spider veins are…

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I have had a blood clot before and I am worried.

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Apr 25, 2019 | Comments Off on I have had a blood clot before and I am worried.
blood clot

I am scheduled for a right leg radiofrequency ablation. I have venous insufficiency in the saphenous vein and have had a blood clot before. Question: In 2006, I underwent an artificial lumbar disk implant. This failed causing artificial disk to move into the spine. While surgeon removed the artificial disk implant, he nicked the liac…

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Sclerotherapy before endovenous laser vein treatment?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Apr 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Sclerotherapy before endovenous laser vein treatment?

My doctor said my vein is too large to have sclerotherapy performed first, is this true? Question: I have a few visible spider veins on my lower leg that I want treated with foam sclerotherapy. However, the doctor wants me to do endovenous laser treatment before the sclerotherapy. According to him, my vein is way…

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Same pain, new location

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Mar 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Same pain, new location
leg pain at night

I’m having the same pain that I had before my ablation procedure, except it is in a different new location. How long will this go on? Question:  It’s been 2 months since my GSV endovenous laser ablation procedure. I have the same pain that I had before the procedure, except it’s in a new location.…

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Circular wound with redness

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Mar 14, 2019 | Comments Off on Circular wound with redness

I recently had the VNUS procedure done (both legs, multiple veins).  Is it normal to have open, circular wound with redness and slight weepiness? Question: All of the other areas are healing nicely, but the area on my shin (a bit off center) has a much larger wound. It has been quite red in the…

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Compression socks make my legs hurt more, is this normal?

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Mar 2, 2019 | Comments Off on Compression socks make my legs hurt more, is this normal?

Question: How big of a size do compression stockings come in?  Answer:  Compression socks should be comfortable and supportive. If the stockings are making your symptoms worse, it is likely that they do not fit you correctly.  There are numerous companies that make standard sized compression stockings. Some make 7 to 8 different sizes.  Additionally,…

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Get rid of my varicose veins

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Feb 12, 2019 | Comments Off on Get rid of my varicose veins
get rid of my veins

Question: WHAT CAN I DO TO GET RID OF MY VARICOSE VEINS? Answer: There are numerous options to treat varicose veins. Some are considered medically necessary, while others are strictly cosmetic. Larger veins are treated in a myriad of ways depending on the provider you consult with and their proficiency in a given intervention. The…

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I injured my varicose vein over my knee, what should I do?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Feb 12, 2019 | Comments Off on I injured my varicose vein over my knee, what should I do?
injured varicose vein

Question: I knelt down the other day and injured the large varicose vein over my knee. It bruised quickly and felt very sore, so I put a pressure bandage on it. Since then, the vein bruise has spread and is now about 12″ up my thigh. It is very red, and I’m not sure what…

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What Treatment Options Are Available For My CVI?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jan 15, 2019 | Comments Off on What Treatment Options Are Available For My CVI?
Compression Socks

Question: What treatment options are available for my CVI? I can’t sit or stand in one place and I have heavy, aching legs all of the time. I started to have achy, heavy leg feelings about a month after I sprained my right ankle and scratched my left knee last April. I was diagnosed with…

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Q&A: During my EVLT, I could smell and taste a slight “burning” odor plus I was dizzy during my procedure. Is that normal?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jan 10, 2019 | Comments Off on Q&A: During my EVLT, I could smell and taste a slight “burning” odor plus I was dizzy during my procedure. Is that normal?

Question: During the EVLT laser procedure I really didn’t feel well, especially when the laser was on. I felt dizzy and the smell of “burning” freaked me out. Even after I was done, it took me couple hours to feel normal again. Is that normal? Answer: The “odor” and sometimes a taste is normal during…

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About Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC

Jilanne is Phoenix Metros only Doctorate Nurse Practitioner that has been trained extensively by a Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, an Interventional Radiologist, and an Interventional Cardiologist. Dr. Rose is highly regarded by patients and physicians who seek her out because of her expertise in vein disease, her commitment to compassionate care, and her excellent success rates. As a peripheral vascular specialist that has performed well over 10,000 vascular interventions, Dr. Rose is dedicated to helping patients achieve a pain free, healthy and happy life.