Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I hear the terms PVD and PAD used a lot when describing my disease. Is there a difference?
A. PVD stands for peripheral vascular disease and PAD stands for peripheral arterial disease. They are often used interchangeably. PVD was the standard description for many years, but following an international consensus agreement on definitions (Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus) healthcare professionals are switching to using PAD, because it more accurately described the atherosclerosis that affects the arteries. PVD is considered a broader term that encompasses more than atherosclerosis in the arteries.

Q. I was told my veins are refluxing (opening and closing improperly) causing a burning pain in the back of my thighs. I feel this burning mostly when I menstruate and occasionally when I do a lot of walking. I was told surgery might help. Could this be PAD and if so what should I do?
A. This is not PAD (peripheral arterial disease). Your veins return blood from your legs to your heart. Vein reflux means the valves, which help return blood, are not working correctly and leak. This is a relatively common problem in the superficial system of the veins in the legs and is associated with varicose veins. The deep veins may also reflux, which is more serious and may occur after deep venous thromboses (blood clots in the leg veins). The association with the menstrual cycle may indicate a condition called pelvic congestion syndrome, which can be associated with refluxing veins in the pelvic veins and can be associated with varicose veins.

Pain in the back of the thighs is an unusual location for pain due to venous problems. It would be important to be absolutely sure that your symptoms are related to the pain in the back of the thighs before having surgery. It would be important to see a certified vascular surgeon in your area, particularly one who is a member of a major national society such as the American Venous Forum or the American Association for Vascular Surgery, societies which are linked from our web site, at www.vdf.org.