In the US, over 30 million people have varicose veins or CVI, but most are undiagnosed and stay untreated. Only 2 million seek treatment each year, and less than 500,000 are treated.
Chronic venous disorder is a progressive condition that can range from cosmetic issues like spider veins to more serious complications like blood clots.
For more severe vein conditions like DVT, about 900,000 people are affected in the US each year, and it’s responsible for 60,000-100,000 deaths annually. DVT can lead to life-threatening complications like pulmonary embolism.
Understanding Leg Pain
Leg pain can be a complex and multifaceted issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can range from mild to severe and can be caused by various factors, including:
- Vein disease;
- Muscle strain;
- Nerve damage;
Understanding the root of leg pain is a must for effective diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing symptoms early can help in seeking timely medical intervention and preventing complications.
Common Symptoms of Leg Pain
Leg pain is a common problem that can come from many sources. Let’s explore the most common:
- Achy Legs:
- Vein-related pain is often described as an ongoing dull ache or heaviness in the legs.
- This pain gets worse after a long period of standing or sitting as blood pools in the veins due to poor circulation.
- If your legs feel tired or heavy after being immobile for a while, it may be a sign that your veins are having circulation troubles.
- Muscle Tension and Fatigue:
- One of the most common causes of pain in the legs is muscle tension.
- This is when the muscles in the legs are overworked or injured, usually from physical activity such as running or walking long distances;
- Muscle cramps, especially those caused by dehydration or a lack of nutrients, can easily cause sudden sharp leg pain;
- Swelling in the Lower Legs and Ankles:
- Swelling, especially in the lower legs and ankles, is a sign of poor vein health.
- When blood circulates in the veins due to damaged valves or vein walls, fluid can leak into the surrounding tissues and cause swelling.
- Venous hypertension, which is increased pressure in the veins, contributes to this swelling and can also cause pain in the leg.
- This is more common in people with chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis.
- Leg Pain That Gets Worse Over Time:
- Vein-related leg pain gets worse as the day goes by, especially after some periods of immobility.
- If your pain improves with movement or when you elevate your legs, it’s a strong sign that your veins are having trouble circulating blood.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is another vascular condition that can cause leg pain.
- This is when fatty deposits build up in the arteries and restrict the flow of blood to the lower limbs.
- When blood circulation is limited, the muscles in the legs are deprived of oxygen, which is called claudication.
- These circumstances result in pain or cramping, especially during physical activity.
- Venous Disease and CVI:
- Unlike PAD, venous disorder occurs when the veins are the problem, not the arteries.
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is when the leg veins cannot return blood to the heart due to damaged vein walls or valves.
- When the blood flows back it starts to pool in the veins and causes pain, swelling and leg ulcers if left untreated.
- Varicose veins and spider veins may be seen as cosmetic concerns but can also cause ongoing leg pain if they are a sign of more serious vein disease.
- Blood Clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- DVT is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in the deeper veins and blocks the blood flow.
- If the clot goes to the lungs, it can have life-threatening consequences like pulmonary embolism.
- Patients with a family history of blood clots, who are taking birth control pills, or who have a sedentary lifestyle are at higher risk for DVT.
- Other Signs of Venous Disease:
- Besides leg pain, vein disease can also present with other symptoms like itchy skin, skin discoloration (around the ankles), and even leg ulcers.
- These symptoms mean the underlying cause of your pain is vein-related and needs medical attention.
- Muscle tension and fatigue can be obvious causes of leg pain.
Still, it’s better to consult with our vein specialist to understand whether other illnesses are causing the vein disease, especially if the pain is constant and severe.
Vein Health and Blood Flow
Vein health plays a critical role in overall health and well-being. Veins are responsible for carrying blood back to the heart, against gravity, and rely on a complex system of valves and muscles to function properly.
When veins are compromised, blood circulation can be impaired, leading to a range of symptoms, including leg pain, swelling, and fatigue.
Maintaining healthy circulation is essential for preventing vein disease and promoting overall health.
Simple lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and wearing compression stockings, can significantly improve vein health and reduce the risk of complications.
Types of Vein Issues That Cause Leg Pain
Several vein conditions can cause persistent and sometimes debilitating pain in legs. Venous stasis, which is the pooling of blood in the veins, can contribute to pain and vein issues.
Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
- Varicose veins are enlarged veins or twisted veins in the lower legs. Varicose veins can be dark purple and occur when the valves in the veins don’t work properly, and blood flows backward and pools in the veins.
- Venous reflux, the backward flow of blood due to valve failure, contributes significantly to the development of varicose veins. This increases pressure in the vessels and causes them to bulge and twist just under the skin’s surface.
- While some may view varicose veins as a cosmetic issue, they can also cause achy legs, muscle cramps, and discomfort, especially after long periods of standing or sitting.
- Spider veins are smaller, thinner blood vessels just under the skin’s surface. While they are less painful than varicose veins, they can be a sign of vascular disorders.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
- CVI is a condition when the veins in the lower limbs can’t return blood to the heart.
- The blood pools in the legs, causing swelling, ongoing leg pain, and ulcers in the leg.
- Venous stasis is a key factor in chronic venous insufficiency, as it causes blood to pool in the legs.
- CVI often comes with varicose veins and is one of the top causes of vein-related leg pain.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- DVT is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in the leg’s deep veins and blocks blood flow.
- Venous hypertension, which is increased pressure in the veins, can contribute to the formation of these blood clots.
- If the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can have life-threatening consequences like pulmonary embolism.
- Several risk factors for DVT are immobility for long periods (like during flights or bed rest), family history of blood clots, and certain medications like birth control pills.
- DVT can cause sudden leg pain, swelling, and tenderness and requires immediate medical attention.
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
- PVD affects the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, mainly in the lower limbs.
- Fatty deposits build up in the arteries and restrict oxygenated blood to the muscles.
- Venous reflux can worsen these symptoms by causing blood to pool in the veins, further reducing the efficiency of blood circulation.
- This can cause leg pain, especially during physical exercise or activity.
- PVD can lead to serious complications like heart attack or stroke if left untreated.
Muscle Tension and Ulcers
- While not exclusively related to vein health, muscle strain from overuse or injury can worsen leg pain.
- Leg ulcers, which can develop from poor blood circulation in diseased veins, are open sores that heal slowly and can be very painful.
- Venous stasis, a condition where the flow of blood in the veins is sluggish, significantly contributes to the formation of these ulcers.
Diagnosing Vein Disease
Diagnosing vein disease requires a comprehensive strategy, including:
- A complete medical history;
- Physical exam;
- Diagnostic testing;
A doctor may use a range of tests to diagnose vein disease, including:
- Ultrasound;
- Angiography;
- Blood tests;
- Leg evaluation to check for vascular conditions such as:
- Varicose and spider veins;
- Leg swelling;
- Leg discoloration;
- An ankle-brachial index (ABI) test may also compare blood pressure in the lower and upper limbs.
Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and prevention of complications. Early detection through these diagnostic methods can lead to better management and improved outcomes for patients suffering from vein disease.
Treatment Options for Vein-Related Leg Pain
Many minimally invasive procedures and lifestyle changes which can help. Let’s check which treatments are available nowadays for vein healing.
Compression Stockings
- Compression stockings are often the first line of treatment for vein-related leg pain.
- They help reduce venous hypertension by applying pressure to the legs, which improves blood flow.
- They apply gentle pressure to the legs to improve blood flow, prevent blood from pooling in the veins, and reduce swelling.
- They are great for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
For more progressive vascular conditions, several minimally invasive treatments can soothe symptoms and restore blood flow. These procedures can also help relieve venous stasis, a condition where blood pools in the veins due to improper circulation. These include:
- Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the diseased vein, and it collapses and is absorbed by the body.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: This advanced techniques use heat to close off varicose veins and allows blood to reroute through healthier veins.
- Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT): Similar to RFA, EVLT uses laser energy to seal off damaged veins.
These are done on an outpatient basis so you can get back to normal activities quickly with minimal discomfort.
Surgery for Severe Cases
- In cases where ulcers appear, severe varicose veins, or chronic venous insufficiency persists despite other treatments, surgery may be necessary.
- Surgical options are:
- Vein stripping or venous ligation, where the damaged veins are physically removed or tied off to get blood flowing properly.
- These procedures can effectively address venous reflux, a condition in which blood starts to flow backward due to faulty vein valves.
Preventing Vein-Related Leg Pain
Prevention is key to reducing the risk of leg vein pain. By adopting healthy habits and managing risk factors, you can improve circulation and keep your veins healthy.
- Be Healthy:
- Excess weight puts extra pressure on the veins in your legs, making it harder for keeping blood to flow back to the heart.
- Being healthy can reduce this pressure and lower the risk of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency.
- Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce venous hypertension, which is high pressure in the veins that can lead to vein-related issues.
- Move Your Body:
- Physical activity is essential for good circulation.
- Exercise strengthens the leg muscles and improves blood circulation so blood doesn’t pool in the veins.
- Even simple movements like walking or stretching can make a difference, especially if you are sedentary.
- Don’t be Immobile for Long:
- Sitting or standing for a long time without moving can cause blood to pool in the veins and form blood clots.
- If you must sit for long periods, like during travel, take breaks to walk around and stretch your legs.
- Wear Compression Socks:
- Wearing compression stockings during a long time of sitting or standing can prevent leg pain and swelling.
- These stockings keep blood flowing in the right direction and are especially helpful if you have a history of vein disease.
Leg Pain: Recognize the Symptoms and Seek Relief Today
Various vein conditions, such as varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic venous insufficiency, can cause leg pain. Luckily, there are many treatment options available, from compression socks to minimally and non-invasive treatments.
Get your life back – know the connection between leg pain and vein health and get relief. See a vein doctor at Beso Vein Clinic today.