I am 26 and have had premature ovarian failure since the age of 19. Since then I have also felt pain in my veins on the side of my thighs and behind my knees. It gets worse with long periods of sitting or standing. Is there a way to reduce the pain without surgery? What can I do?
One thing that may be helpful is to wear compression hose. The hose are prescribed by a physician so you could ask your current doctor if they would be beneficial to you and obtain a prescription.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
First, a phleblologist should determine if your leg pain is, in fact, due to your vein condition. Properly fit compression stockings often provide temporary relief, whereas sclerotherapy (injections) and non-surgical vein ablation office procedures give more durable results.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Elevation, knee-high stockings (15-20mmHg), or NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin might help.
-Answered by Dr. Stuart A. Harlin
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Sclerotherapy should reduce the pain.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I would place you in medical grade compression (there are some which are not "your grandmother's") stockings. I would have you try 20-30mmHg. If you get relief from these you may benefit from sclerotherapy injections using trans-illumination and/or ultrasound guidance. We find many people get relief.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Graduated compression hose can help your legs feel better. Horse chestnut extract has been shown to help with some of the pain and swelling from varicose veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should be worked up and evaluated for possible venous reflux disease. Contact your local vein center.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There are many ways to help reduce symptoms related to veins. I would first share that if your symptoms are relieved when walking or elevating them above your heart, then you may likely attribute your discomfort to the veins that concern you. If you prefer no surgical intervention, compression therapy, elevation, and walking are healthy habits to help reduce symptoms. Of course we cannot go through the day with our legs elevated, but when they are bothersome, elevating the legs above the heart should help to reduce symptoms. Other treatments would depend upon the size of the vessels that concern you. Traditionally, the outside aspect of your thighs involve dilated surface veins that respond best to injections to destroy the veins and reduce symptoms. Chemicals most suitable are detergent sclerosants, Sotradecol or Asclera. If the vessels are larger and ropey, they may best be managed with local anesthesia and small incisions to gently and elegantly remove the veins. I would suggest visiting an experienced vein center that offers a wide selection of treatments. An assessment of your symptoms and physical findings will help to provide distinct answers to your questions.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
High-quality, well-fit compression hose 20-30mmHg , regular aerobic exercise, elevation and using bio-flavanoids such as horse chestnut seed extract should help quite a bit.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You would benefit from a vein evaluation to determine whether you have leaky veins and if so whether they are treatable. Compression hose therapy for otherwise treatable venous disease (with a procedure rather than a surgery) is not a very effective nor practical long term solution. Endovenous ablation can be used to treat any one or more of five superficial veins in the lower extremities. These include the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein, anterior accessory saphenous vein, posterior accessory saphenous vein and the intersaphenous vein, which is in the posterior thigh region where you are describing your pain. The pattern of your pain is also consistent with venous insufficiency. Do yourself a favor and get a qualified vein specialist to perform a thorough vein evaluation, including a venous insufficiency ultrasound examining all of the above mentioned veins, as well as the deep system of veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You are welcome to try compression stockings. A grade 20-30 mmHg compression at least. You might have to increase to 30-40 mmHg, to get relief, but you can try wearing a double stocking first prior to deciding on purchasing the higher grade. A thigh length or panty hose will work best. Try to walk more daily. A consultation for vein evaluation is always advisable.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Contrary to popular myth, vein stripping is not the only vein treatment technique available today. Non-surgical treatments available to those vein disease sufferers out there consist of Endovenous laser ablation procedures and ultrasound, and visually guided injection techniques. Vein stripping and/or micro-phlebectomy are no longer necessary to eliminate the pain/symptoms caused by what you have. Most, if not all, vein issues of the leg can be treated without ever using a knife.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The best medical treatments would be compression stockings, exercise and trying to maintain a trim weight.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Compression socks may help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You need an evaluation first to determine the cause of the pain and possibly an ultrasound. Or, you can try compression stockings first to see if they help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You can use compression stockings.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Certainly, the newer techniques that we offer are minimally invasive and use laser and/or radiofrequency. They are done in the office in less than an hour. You will have essentially no pain during or after the procedure. You will have absolutely no downtime (you can do it on lunch break and literally go back to work afterwards). They are highly effective on reducing or eliminating your leg pains. Furthermore, your insurance covers the costs.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You need to be examined and evaluated with ultrasound to answer your question. Many patients with pain due to varicose veins in the lateral aspect of the thighs and behind the knees can be treated very nicely with foam sclerotherapy injections. Elastic compression stockings usually will help with the symptoms, but they do not solve the problem.
Published on Jul 11, 2012