My cardiologist did the ultrasound last week after it was noted that I have a scarcely visible varicose vein on my right leg near the calf, and sometimes witness a cramp in the calf. No other symptoms. No DVT. Venous insufficiency (reflux) involving RGSV, LGSV, RSSV, LSSV. They want to do a endovenous ablation of the affected vessel. I would rather wait, until I become really symptomatic, which I realize will eventually happen as this condition will get worse with time. I'm 81 years old and fit.
You should not be doing anything right now. The best thing to do is to wear compression stockings.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No, you do not need VNUS if you are not symptomatic. You would do fine wearing knee-high compression socks and walking daily for a mile to activate your calf pumps. When you develop pain and swelling... you should then consider undergoing treatment.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No need for intervention at this time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The presence of reflux is not an indication to ablate the vein and one second reflux is minimal. If you have minimum symptoms, there is no need to rush to treat the veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I think it is perfectly fine to postpone or completely avoid the VNUS closures until you are more symptomatic. The procedures are safe, but they have small risk of complications. With " scarcely visible varicose veins, and saphenous veins only slightly enlarged with mild insufficiency," it is likely you will never be very symptomatic if you have made it to age 81 with only mild symptoms. I hope this information helps.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It's hard to improve on asymptomatic. If you aren't having symptoms, there is no reason to perform VNUS closure on any of your veins. Your veins could stay the same, and you may never need treatment. Your cardiologist stands more to gain from your procedures than you.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Given the information provided; no, you do not need to have your veins treated at this time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The correct answer is yes and no. You have a medical condition in your legs that affects your venous circulation. A condition that can be successfully addressed. It is chronic and rarely life threatening so you can elect to fix it or not. Fixing it will make your legs function better. That said, I would not be having a heart doc fix it. Doing a VNUS closure on those veins only addresses a small part of your vein disease. You need a phlebologist, not a cardiologist to fix your legs.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No, you don't.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Follow your gut. Trivial venous reflux causing minimal symptoms in an 81-year-old should be either left alone or treated with compression socks. Millions of Americans have trivial reflux, and it is perfectly acceptable to monitor your symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012