Frequently Asked Questions

Q. My 47-year-old girlfriend has been diagnosed with venous insufficiency. The valves in the veins around the ankles are not functioning as they should and aren't able to push the blood back to the heart. This results in excess blood pooling in her ankles that is painful and causes swelling as well as discoloration around the ankles. The doctors have told her to exercise on a stationary bike and learn to live with the pain because there is no remedy. Do you know of anything that might help lessen the condition?
A. There are no drugs currently approved by the FDA for relief of venous disease pain. Compression stockings may help with the pain by preventing some of the swelling. Also, lying down several times a day for 10 or 15 minutes with the legs elevated will help gravity drain the blood back toward the heart. The legs should be placed on the back or arm of the couch or on pillows so they are higher than the level of the heart.

Q. What can you tell me about varicose vein removal?
A. Surgery for varicose veins is generally safe and effective. Most procedures are done on an outpatient basis and people can go back to relatively normal activities within a few days, depending on the type of procedure used. There are a number of less invasive treatments for some varicose veins that range from injec tions (sclerotherapy) to catheter-based "endovenous" treatments. The selection of the best and most effective therapy is often based upon findings seen on an ultrasound scan of the veins of the leg.