Answers

Replied on 3/2/2011

By: Laser Vein Center  |  Thomas Wright, M.D., F.A.C.P., R.V.T.
O'Fallon, MO

Venous reflux is not an urgent diagnosis. Every varicose vein has reflux which can be documentated on reflux exams.
The manifestations of the reflux are what dictates the timing of intervention. For example, an open ankle veous leg ulcer is more urgent than the mere presence of a test finding. Furthermore, Venous reflux can most immediately be treated with leg compression.
Not all deep vein thromboses are of equal importance. Additionally, the cause and risk factors may no longer be present compared to the time of the previous diagnosis.

Replied on 1/12/2011

By: The Vein Center  |  Jody Bolton-Smith, MD
Danielle Leighton, MD
Rochelle Wolfe, MD
Sartell, MN

Venous reflux treament is not urgent in most cases. Deciding whether or not to pursue treatment can be determined by how much your symptoms affect your quality of life. With that said vein disease is progressive and could cause more serious problems in the future such as venous stasis ulcers. If you would decide to not to pursue treatment at this time, compression stockings would likely be helpful in the meantime.

Replied on 12/2/2010

By: Miller Vein  |  Jeffrey H. Miller, M.D.
Steven K. Wang, M.D.
Michael E. Lulenski, M.D.
Novi, MI

The procedure is not urgent unless you have skin changes and ulcer formation. Treatments today are minimally invasive such that the benefit to risk ratio is in your favor.

Replied on 12/1/2010

By: Vanish Vein and Laser Center  |  Dr. John Landi, FACS, RPVI, RPhS
Medical Director, Diplomate Am. Board of Phlebology
Naples, FL

The procedure to correct the reflux is called closure and this can be done with either a laser or radiofrequency. This is certainly not an emergency and can be delayed. If your veins are the source of your leg pain then I would recommend you see a vein specialist and have the veins treated.

Replied on 12/1/2010

By: Angelo N. Makris MD   |  Angelo N. Makris, M.D. Interventional Radiology Center
Oak Brook, IL

There is no urgency. Continue to wear compression hose until you decide to have the treatment.

Replied on 11/30/2010

By: VeinCare Centers of Tennessee  |  Stephen F. Daugherty, M.D.,F.A.C.S.
Clarksville, TN

Reflux in superficial leg veins with associated pain, tenderness, edema, or varicose veins often needs to be treated. Procedures for reflux usually are not urgent, but some patients will develop complictins such as clotting, bleeding, or skin complications with prolonged delay in treatment. A clinical exam with an experienced phlebologist is important since decisions are best made with a skilled physician examining you and reviewing a detailed ultrasound exam.

Replied on 11/30/2010

By: Heart and Vein Center  |  Rodolfo D. Farhy, MD
Royal Oak, MI

Venus reflux is NOT a life threatening condition. Can certainly wait until be treated. However it is certainly a progressive condition and with always get worse and never better. There is no problem on delaying a procedure, it will just make it more complicated to fix it properly later.
Dr Farhy

More Questions on Venous Reflux Exams

When are venous reflux exams helpful? (12 answers)
I have a few varicose veins on my legs, which I'd like to have removed. My doctor suggested I might have a venous reflux exam, as well. I already know I have varicose veins, so why would I need an exam? Also, how are the venous exams performed?

Is it common for two specialists to see two different things in an ultrasound? (12 answers)
I had an ultrasound done and was told I have deep vein reflux, but when I went to Mayo they found nothing other than a small superficial vein. I have leg pain in my calves, shins and upper legs. There is no swelling, but there is mild leg discoloration. Is it common for an interventional radiologist and a vascular doctor to see two different things in an ultrasound? Any suggestions as to what my condition may be?

Can very mild reflux cause lots of pain in the legs? (12 answers)
I've had two separate venous ultrasounds done at two different clinics. Neither showed much reflux, yet symptoms still persist. Can very mild reflux cause lots of pain in legs or is this typically only seen in people with a more significant amount of reflux? Are there other problems that could be causing symptoms similar to vascular/vein issues?

Does a venous Doppler exam also check for arterial dieseases? (12 answers)
I know there is vein disease and arterial diseases that can cause leg pain. When someone has a duplex ultrasound done are the arteries and veins both checked for issues?

Can I file an appeal if my insurance company refuses to cover my vein surgery? (12 answers)
I pay $1,000 a month for my insurance policy with BCBS, yet they will not cover ANY of my vein issues. I am in terrible pain all the time, my knee and calf are very swollen and it's affecting my walk. I have been diagnosed with venous reflux. Can I appeal the insurance company's decision? If so, how do I do that?

Shouldn't I be able to see varicose veins on the surface of my leg? (11 answers)
If I have varicose veins that can be treated, shouldn't I be able to see them on the surface of my leg? Or, can you have refluxing veins that aren't obvious to the eye?

When should one get a venous reflux exam? (11 answers)
And when is it unnecessary? I already know I have varicose veins, so what are the benefits of having a venous reflux exam?

Are Venus reflux exams painful? (11 answers)
Does either version of the exam hurt? What should I be prepared for?

Should I get a Venous Reflux Exam for my spider veins? (11 answers)
I have a lot of spider veins on my legs, but no pain and no visible varicose veins. However, if I get bruised it takes months to heal and my feet are always cold, even in the summer. Should I get a reflux exam to find out what's going on?

Can Hemosiderin staining be removed? (11 answers)
I was told when I was 42 that I have PAD and leaking valves in my lower legs causing Hemosiderin staining. Is there anything that can be done to remove the staining from my legs?

Is the Venous Refulx Exam the proper vein problem detection method? (10 answers)
I was wondering what test can be performed to detect which veins in the pelvis are refluxing. I am having a hysterectomy and have been told if we know which veins are refluxing they can be taken care of during the hysterectomy surgery.

Large varicose vein (10 answers)
Would a large varicose vein on the side of my leg get better with weight loss? Would it disappear or get smaller?

Can pain and swelling in ankles be from varicose veins? (10 answers)
I have varicose veins. For the past two months I have had severe pain and swelling in my ankles. I have no arthritis. Can the pain and swelling be from the varicose veins? Am to have a venous reflux exam next week.

Do I need vein treatment for venous reflux at age 24? (9 answers)
I am 24 years old, and I have spider veins and visible blue veins behind knees on both legs. Ultrasound showed 0.4 sec reflux in GSV right leg. Some doctors told me this is normal, but is it normal? And, if not, is it dangerous or weird for my age? I am scared and confused. Can you offer any advice?

Are there Venous Reflux Exams for DVI? (9 answers)
Recent ultrasound: left leg reflux 3.7 sec in femoral, and 5.2 in GSV, Rt leg 1.4 sec in common femoral 4 sec in femoral. Another showed popliteal left leg. I am 47, BMI 19 & I exercise. I have spider veins but no varicose veins yet. Treatment options?

what can I do to reduce varicose veins in my wife's legs? (9 answers)
Would elevating her legs to my shoulders while lying in bed and massaging her legs from ankles to thighs help at all?

Are venous reflux exams required before varicose vein treatment? (9 answers)
Do I need to have a venous reflux exam before endovenous ablation procedures? I have very obvious varicose veins on one leg, and already know i want to have them treated with ELA.

Will a Venous Reflux Exam tell me if I have venous insufficiency? (9 answers)
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I have no varicose veins, but should I get a Venous Reflux Exam? (9 answers)
Ever since my last pregnancy (1 year ago) I have had aching and heaviness in my lower legs, but no visible varicose veins at all. Should I get a venous reflux exam to find out what's going on, or is the discomfort likely caused my something else?

Are there any contraindications to having the VNUS Closure procedure done when diagnosed with both superficial and deep venous reflux? (9 answers)
I had an ultrasound of veins in my legs and apparently have both superficial and deep venous reflux. Since I have deep reflux as well, is the VNUS Closure procedure still adviseable? What if the deep vein does not get better? How will blood flow out?

Will I have swollen legs for life? (8 answers)
In April I had a blood clot in my thigh, behind my knee and in my calf. I had another really bad calf cramp, so my doctor sent me for another doppler, which showed I had developed another clot in my calf. He said that I would have swelling for life. Is he right?

Where can I get a Venous Reflux Exam? (8 answers)
I have a few visible varicose veins, and general heaviness. I think I may need a Venous Reflux Exam. Can they be performed at a general practitioner's office, or should I go to a vein specialist or a hospital?

What can a Venous Reflux Exam tell me? (8 answers)
How does this treatment measure my veins effectiveness?

Is a MRI contrast safe when you have reflux in the femoral deep vein? (8 answers)
I have had swelling above the knee for 3 months. An ultrasound found no deep vein thrombosis (DVT), just reflux in the femoral deep vein. The doctor told me to have a MRI of the left leg with contrast, but I read that the dye can cause clotting. What are the risks of doing a MRI contrast when you have reflux in the femoral deep vein? Is the MRI safe?

Is it common to have an exam that show deep vein reflux but no superficial varicose veins or swelling? (8 answers)
Having had two separate exams done, one showed deep vein reflux and one showed nothing. I have no superficial varicose veins and no swelling, but do have pain in my legs and burning in my feet on and off. Any suggestions in terms of the next steps I should take? I am confused. Thx.

My ultrasound showed no reflux, so why am I experiencing a lot of pain? (8 answers)
Compression stockings seem to help some, but there are days where I am not sure. I have classic vein symptoms, such as pain in the calves and the back of the upper thigh. However, after a duplex ultrasound at Mayo Clinic, no reflux was found. I was in a standing position during the exam. If no reflux was found, should I be experiencing so much pain? I have to sit down and elevate my legs constantly, as it's hard to stand up.

When is swelling above the knee a concern? (7 answers)
I have swelling above the left knee, which was noticed 3 months ago. I had an ultrasound that revealed no deep vein thrombosis (DVT), just vein reflux and stasis. I've been wearing compression stockings, but the swelling is still there. I'm worried. Should I have further testing?

Are Venous Reflux Exams also used for wound care? (7 answers)
I have a slow-healing wound on my foot and my wound care center specialist recommended some vascular testing. Are the same venous reflux exams used to evaluate legs with varicose veins also used in people with non healing wounds?

Does grade 1 Venous Reflux need to be treated with EVLT? (7 answers)
I was recently diagnosed with Venous insufficiency of 0.7s. My understanding is that this is grade 1 venous reflux. Does this need to be treated with EVLT? Will it get worse if left untreated?

DVT and issues afterwards. (6 answers)
I was on blood thinners before and have tried compression stockings too. They don't seem to work or alleviate the pain that comes after athletic activity. I had a DVT from my groin to my ankle. Are there any procedures that could alleviate this?

Why would my greater saphenous vein and the veins in the back of my thighs bulge if my ultrasound was normal and no reflux was found? (6 answers)
I am thin and have had prominent calf veins for years without pain. I began working out and now my greater saphenous vein and the veins in the back of my thighs bulge. I have pain in my legs that I feel is due to these veins. My ultrasound was normal and no reflux was found. What's going on?

Can severe reflux in common femoral vein be caused by obstruction in the pelvic veins? (6 answers)
I'm 24 weeks pregnant and had venous doppler of low extremities to rule out DVT due to swelling in left thigh. It showed no clots, but showed that I have severe reflux in common femoral and femoral veins. Could this be due to a clot that was missed?

Leg disoloration (5 answers)
I was diagnosed with venous insufficiency which was treated, but left me with scars from the sores and leg discoloration. I wonder if there is anything with lasers perhaps which can eliminate the scars and at least lighten the discoloration.

Ankle swelling after VNUS closure in 2010 (5 answers)
I had VNUS closure in 2010 and my ankles still swell. I asked my doctor who did the procedure and he said he didn't know who. Do I need more sclerotherapy and another ultrasound to see if more work needs to be done? I still have some bulging veins.

Can venous reflux exams predict future spider or varicose veins? (5 answers)
What exactly causes varicose and spider veins to develop, and can venous reflux exams tell me if I am going to have them now or later in life?

What are the types of venous reflux exams? (5 answers)
I've heard there are different types of venous reflux exams. What are they?

Does a deep vein valve reflux indicate there was a clot ? (2 answers)
I'm worried about DVT. I take bc pills and sit for long periods of time. I had pain in my knee and thigh so i had an ultrasound but it did not indicate thrombosis, however, it did indicate deep vein valve reflux in the femoral and superficial. Could this be from a clot?

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