I have been diagnosed with bilateral deep system reflux/deep venous insufficiency, is surgery an option?

I have been diagnosed with Bilateral Deep Vein Insufficiency, I am not even 40. In addition, I have incompetent saphenous vein at the saphenofemoral junction because of reflux at saphenofemoral junction. My surgeon says there's nothing to do but wear compression stockings. What does this mean for me? Can I work, should I work? Is it life threatening? He had no answers and I am scared. I requested referral to Mayo Rochester to a phlebologist.

Answers from doctors (2)


Illinois Vein Specialists

Published on Mar 30, 2017

I agree with your doctor that if you have been diagnosed with deep vein insufficiency that wearing compression hose daily is the most effective treatment. Replacement valves for DVI are being tested now but are not yet used. Soon I hope. If your superficial saphenous veins are incompetent as well, closing them with endovenous laser will give you some relief by decreasing the load of incompetence in your veins. Yes you should work and moreso you must stay as active as possible. It is not immediately life threatening but blood inside of veins that are not flowing well increases the risk of blood clotting, especially in a sedentary lifestyle-like sitting all day at a computer terminal. You don't need the Mayo clinic for this. A competent and qualified vein specialist can readily and safely treat you.

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Answered by Illinois Vein Specialists

I agree with your doctor that if you have been diagnosed with deep vein insufficiency that wearing compression hose daily is the most effective treatment. Replacement valves for DVI are being tested now but are not yet used. Soon I hope. If your superficial saphenous veins are incompetent as well, closing them with endovenous laser will give you some relief by decreasing the load of incompetence in your veins. Yes you should work and moreso you must stay as active as possible. It is not immediately life threatening but blood inside of veins that are not flowing well increases the risk of blood clotting, especially in a sedentary lifestyle-like sitting all day at a computer terminal. You don't need the Mayo clinic for this. A competent and qualified vein specialist can readily and safely treat you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Center for Vein Care

Published on Mar 28, 2017

Superficial reflux can sometime lead to deep reflux which is not significant and treating the superficial veins may improve the deep reflux. A detailed examination of the deep veins is necessary to see if this is the case. If the reflux is throughout the deep veins, then there is not much that can be done to fix this. Evaluation by a vein specialist who understands both superficial and deep vein disease will be able to differentiate and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1248_1499989737.jpg
Answered by Center for Vein Care

Superficial reflux can sometime lead to deep reflux which is not significant and treating the superficial veins may improve the deep reflux. A detailed examination of the deep veins is necessary to see if this is the case. If the reflux is throughout the deep veins, then there is not much that can be done to fix this. Evaluation by a vein specialist who understands both superficial and deep vein disease will be able to differentiate and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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