I just had a venus reflux exam indicating I have superficial & deep system reflux which has changed from a year ago. I'm concerned about my leg's future if the superficial cannot be treated because it will put stress on the deep system. Any options
For the management of venous insufficiency symptoms, medical compression stockings are indicated for the lower extremities for temporary relief. Compression stockings with a pressure of 20-30 mmHg are recommended, sometimes thigh-high or to the knee, depending on the vein specialist’s order.
Nowadays, minimally invasive procedures are used to treat venous reflux, replacing in great percentage surgical procedures such as ligation and stripping, where a deep incision had to be made at the groin area as well as other surgical cuts at the knee and below.
Symptoms will improve within one to two weeks after the procedure. Presenting reflux in both systems is not an impediment to do the correct procedure to treat the superficial vein system. It will help you rather than put stress on the deep system. Vein specialist can help you manage pain and uncomfortable symptoms that vein reflux causes.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The superficial system can be treated even with deep venous reflux and should be treated if symptomatic. The superficial system is treated by a closure procedure while the deep system is treated with support hose, exercise and elevation. Treating the superficial system does not put increased stress on the deep system and, in fact, the result is just the opposite.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your question implies that you think that reflux in the deep system is a contraindication to treatment of reflux in the superfical system. Deep vein reflux is NOT a contraindication to treatment of superficial vein reflux. Sometimes, obstruction of the the deep sytem, usually from old thrombosis, is a reason not to treat superficial vein reflux.
Deep vein reflux usually is treated with elastic compression stockings, exercise, and weight loss (if the patient is overweight). There is a very small set of patients who have such severe deep vein reflux that they are candidates for other treatments such as valve repairs, new valve construction, or valve transfers. Only a small number of vascular surgeons perform these procedures on very severely affected patients.
Be sure you are seeing a physician experienced in evaluation of deep and superficial venous insufficiency.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Severe superficial system reflux can actually cause deep venous reflux. As long as the deep system is not obstructed, the superficial system can be treated and this usually causes an improvement in the deep system.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Generally we treat the superficial reflux first and most patients improve significantly with this alone. Most procedures for deep reflux are large operations and usually not needed for varicose veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your question implies that you think that reflux in the deep system is a contraindication to treatment of reflux in the superfical system. Deep vein reflux is NOT a contraindication to treatment of superficial vein reflux. Sometimes, obstruction of the the deep sytem, usually from old thrombosis, is a reason not to treat superficial vein reflux.
Deep vein reflux usually is treated with elastic compression stockings, exercise, and weight loss (if the patient is overweight). There is a very small set of patients who have such severe deep vein reflux that they are candidates for other treatments such as valve repairs, new valve construction, or valve transfers. Only a small number of vascular surgeons perform these procedures on very severely affected patients.
Be sure you are seeing a physician experienced in evaluation of deep and superficial venous insufficiency.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
That is not necessarily true. The superficial system can be treated if there is both superficial and deep venous reflux. Your other option is compression hose.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You can have your superficial system treated, even with deep system reflux. Often your symptoms will improve, although not as dramatically as they would with only superficial reflux. The options for Deep reflux are limited as the procedures are more involved with higher potential complications and should not be contemplated unless you have recalcitrant venous stasis ulceration
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Typically we do not do any venous procedures on patients with deep system reflux. These patients are more likely to need their saphenous veins in the future for by-pass procedures. We typically have these patients use compression hose to manage their symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012