I have friend who has dark pigmentaion

I have friend aged 34, modestly built. He travels all day by 2 wheeler. He has dark pigmentation of both legs. It started around ankles and is now spreading up. No veins are visible. Feet are spared. Doctors suggested varicose vein surgery. Does it help?

Answers from doctors (8)


More About Doctor Desert Vein Institute

Published on Apr 26, 2018

Once the dark pigment is on legs it rarely goes away. Sometimes vein surgery will help with pain and might lighten the dark pigment.

Answered by Desert Vein Institute (View Profile)

Once the dark pigment is on legs it rarely goes away. Sometimes vein surgery will help with pain and might lighten the dark pigment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 03, 2012

The first step for your friend would be to see a vein specialist for a full venous evaluation including a venous duplex ultrasound. This will determine if he has venous disease leading to venous insufficiency. There are many causes for browning discoloration of the lower legs besides venous insufficiency.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The first step for your friend would be to see a vein specialist for a full venous evaluation including a venous duplex ultrasound. This will determine if he has venous disease leading to venous insufficiency. There are many causes for browning discoloration of the lower legs besides venous insufficiency.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jan 17, 2011

Ankle brownish skin pigmentation is a classic sign of venous insufficiency and resulting tissue damage.
The fact that no veins are seen is irrelevant, as large varicosities frequently may be visually masked by the swelling that usually is present with this condition. Further, many varicose veins bulge "in" and can be palpable though not visual.
Finally determining whether vein treatment will help is dependent on the confirmation of the above issues by an expert.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Ankle brownish skin pigmentation is a classic sign of venous insufficiency and resulting tissue damage.
The fact that no veins are seen is irrelevant, as large varicosities frequently may be visually masked by the swelling that usually is present with this condition. Further, many varicose veins bulge "in" and can be palpable though not visual.
Finally determining whether vein treatment will help is dependent on the confirmation of the above issues by an expert.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Dec 20, 2010

He should obtain an ultrasound by a vein physician (phlebologist). This will find out if he has venous insufficiency as his underlying problem which could be treated.

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Answered by Miller Vein

He should obtain an ultrasound by a vein physician (phlebologist). This will find out if he has venous insufficiency as his underlying problem which could be treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Dec 18, 2010

This pigmentation can very well be due to venous insufficiency. An ultrasound would confirm this.
If so many cases can be improved with venous ablation therapy.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

This pigmentation can very well be due to venous insufficiency. An ultrasound would confirm this.
If so many cases can be improved with venous ablation therapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Dec 17, 2010

Venous hypertension (high pressure in the leg veins) is one of the more common causes of brown skin near the ankles. Failure of valves in veins of the lower extremities and/or obstruction of veins in the legs or pelvis may cause lower extremity venous hypertension. Treatment of the venous reflux, if present, or treatment of venous obstruction will help considerably when done for the right indications.

In appropriate patients, periodic elevation of the legs above the level of the heart, use of elastic compression hose, exercise such as walking, calf muscle pump exercises, and weight loss (if over ideal body weight) may help considerably. A careful clinical evaluation and detailed venous color duplex ultrasound exam are necessary to answer the question for an individual patient since everyone is different.

Stephen F. Daugherty, MD, FACS, RVT, RPhS

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Venous hypertension (high pressure in the leg veins) is one of the more common causes of brown skin near the ankles. Failure of valves in veins of the lower extremities and/or obstruction of veins in the legs or pelvis may cause lower extremity venous hypertension. Treatment of the venous reflux, if present, or treatment of venous obstruction will help considerably when done for the right indications.

In appropriate patients, periodic elevation of the legs above the level of the heart, use of elastic compression hose, exercise such as walking, calf muscle pump exercises, and weight loss (if over ideal body weight) may help considerably. A careful clinical evaluation and detailed venous color duplex ultrasound exam are necessary to answer the question for an individual patient since everyone is different.

Stephen F. Daugherty, MD, FACS, RVT, RPhS

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lumiere Laser & Vein Center

Published on Dec 17, 2010

Difficult to give an easy answer based on your description, a suggestion is to see a general/ vascular surgeon to get a diagnosis

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Answered by Lumiere Laser & Vein Center

Difficult to give an easy answer based on your description, a suggestion is to see a general/ vascular surgeon to get a diagnosis

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Dec 17, 2010

It sounds like the dark pigmentation is related to venous insufficiency. I would suggest a consultation with a venous specialist.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

It sounds like the dark pigmentation is related to venous insufficiency. I would suggest a consultation with a venous specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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