What is Venous and Vein Disease?

Vein disease, also called venous disease, can develop over months or years from malfunctioning vein valves in legs. Normally functioning valves prevent backflow of blood down the legs and keep blood moving towards the heart. In a patient with vein disease, broken valves do not hold a seal and blood pressure builds up in the lower legs, leading to pooling blood called venous stasis. This results in leg swelling and skin changes.

Request a vein disease consultation today if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Pain in the legs, including cramping and aching
Darkening of the skin around the lower legs, ankles and feet
Thick skin on the lower legs and ankles
Swelling of the legs, restless legs
Varicose and spider veins on the legs
Chronic pelvic pain

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The later vein disease is detected, the harder it can be to treat. Luckily, since venous disease can be a slowly progressing chronic condition, later symptoms can be avoided with immediate screening and treatment. If you notice these symptoms, contact us today for expert evaluation and management of your vein disease.

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Hamilton Vascular is your premier center for vein and venous disease treatment. Our results speak for themselves.

What Causes Chronic Vein Disease?

Anything that can physically damage vein valves can lead to chronic vein disease. Two common causes are deep vein thrombosis and superficial venous thrombosis. These are both conditions where blood clots form in veins. Once the clot dissolves, they leave scar tissue and permanent damage on the valves, preventing them from opening and closing properly. Also, some patients are predisposed to malfunctioning valves due to genetics and family history, such as a parent or grandparent with varicose veins. Women with multiple pregnancies are at a higher risk of developing chronic venous disease.

Pelvic tumors and vascular malformations, leading to abnormal flow of blood and pressure gradients in the vasculature, can lead to chronic vein disease. Additionally, chronic venous disease is associated with being overweight. Finally, weakness in leg muscles that squeeze blood back to the heart can also contribute to the development of vein disease.

What Are Chronic Venous Disease Symptoms?

Chronic vein disease begins with small varicose veins, and can gradually progress to larger veins. As new veins develop and symptoms worsen, legs may experience swelling. This tends to occur more with long periods of standing or sitting. The swelling, when present for long periods of time, can lead to iron (hemosiderin) deposition in the skin known as lipodermatosclerosis. Later in the disease process, leg ulcers develop that require additional medical treatment to heal.

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Disease include:

Swelling of the legs or ankles (edema)
Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or standing
Pain that improves with leg elevation
Pain when walking that relieves with rest
Cramping of the legs
Throbbing sensation in the legs
Achy feeling in legs
Heaviness feeling in the legs
Itchy skin and sensation in the legs
Thickening of the skin with “woody” changes
Skin around the ankles changing colors to red or brown
Wounds on the lower legs that do not heal, usually around and above the ankles
Newly formed varicose veins
Abnormally flaky skin, or abnormally moist skin
Tightness in the calves

Call 512-853-9791 today to schedule your appointment.

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How Is Chronic Vein Disease Treated?

The first step in treating venous disease is to reduce to pressure in the veins. Our experienced physicians will recommend treatment options based on the cause of your leg condition, your health status, and your history. Other factors we consider are:

Onset, duration, timing, exacerbating and relieving factors of your symptoms
Your age
Severity of your condition
Presence of ulcers and skin changes
Your past history of blood clots and DVT
Your ability to tolerate medications and procedures

Initial chronic vein disease treatment usually includes compression stockings, leg elevation, exercise, weight loss, moisturizing the skin to prevent cracks, and prescription medications. Many patients benefit from venous closure using ablation and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy.

In serious cases, venous closure may needed immediately, for instance to close a venous stasis ulcer. Some cases require a procedure to improve blood flow in deep veins of the legs, using angioplasty and/or stents.

Ultimately, the goal of our recommended therapy is to increase venous return from the legs (push blood back up the leg), thereby decreasing symptoms associated with vein disease and preventing further venous disease progression.

Our doctors are vascular and vein experts, providing you with the safest choice for successful treatment of vein disease.

Call 512-853-9791 today to schedule your appointment with the experts at Hamilton Vascular, part of the multispecialty StrideCare network.

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

Gave me the most thorough explanation of everything going on with my leg issues than any other doctor ever. Also, and probably most importantly, actually gave me hope that there would be options available after others just left me dangling. – Renie P

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

Great compassionate, comprehensive, and prompt service. They were able to see me within 3 days of calling. Definitely way beats any other vascular center in the area. Highly recommend! – Daniel K

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

Dr. Justin Smith & his staff were professional, friendly, & very organized. I had several days of procedures and Dr. Smith & nurses were courteous & explained step by step what to expect before & during procedures. Also checking through the procedures if I was okay. Very happy with Hamilton Vascular & highly recommend anyone with vein issues to see Dr Smith & staff. – Margie C

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

Me parece excelente tratan de ayudar al paciente a no tener el dolor cuando te están haciendo el tratamiento. – Madeleine A

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

First visit was very helpful, informative, and encouraging. Never having been to this type of medical office before, I didn’t know what to expect. The staff was engaging and professional. The PA, who did my initial assessment, was amazing, knowledgeable, and answered all my questions. Now I understand why my GP recommended them so highly. – Gene B

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

The most efficient doctor's office I have ever been to! They were always on time! Very polite and caring doctors and nurses. Highly recommend! – Catherine P

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

I LOVE Hamilton Vascular, the issues I was having I thought I would have to live with but NO!! Not only is Hamilton Vascular helping resolve my leg issues, but they also take plenty of time to answer my questions, making sure I fully understand. They don't try to push me out the door because they are busy. – Becca M

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

My visit to Hamilton Vascular left me with a lot of questions answered after my session. My visit was a most productive and educational experience. Their physician, nurses and support staff are first rate. I was impressed at the way my questions were responded to as well as their professional opinions about my situation. – Tony O

Read Our Patient Reviews from Google

I am having treatment for veins at Hamilton Vascular. The staff & Dr. Smith are excellent. Very professional and their sterile technique is excellent. I have had treatments in both legs and am scheduled for injections next month. Excellent team of health care providers. 💜 – Susan F