Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Postphlebitic Syndrome

Arteries carry blood with oxygen and nutrients away from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood to the heart from the rest of the body. Blood returns from the legs through shallow and deep veins. Contraction of leg muscles pushes blood through the deep veins Deep Veins of the Legs . Valves in the veins keep blood flowing upward toward the heart and stop the blood from flowing backward.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when something widens the leg veins and/or damages the valves in the veins. These changes decrease blood flow in the veins and increase the pressure in the veins. The increased pressure and low blood flow cause fluid to accumulate in the legs and other symptoms.

The most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency is

A blood clot may cause chronic venous insufficiency because scar tissue from the clot may damage the valves in the veins. Because deep vein thrombosis is sometimes called phlebitis, chronic venous insufficiency can be called postphlebitic syndrome.

Other risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency include

People with chronic venous insufficiency have leg swelling (edema Swelling Swelling is due to excess fluid in the tissues. The fluid is predominantly water. Swelling may be widespread or confined to a single limb or part of a limb. Swelling is often in the feet and... read more ), which typically is worse at the end of the day because blood must flow upward against gravity when a person is standing or sitting. Overnight, edema subsides because the veins empty well when people lie down. The swelling may not cause any symptoms, but some people feel fullness, heaviness, aching, cramps, pain, tiredness, and tingling in the legs.

Varicose veins Varicose Veins Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged superficial veins in the legs. Varicose veins may cause your legs to ache, itch, and feel tired. Doctors can detect varicose veins by examining the skin... read more may be present.

Later on, the skin on the inside of the ankle becomes scaly and itchy and may turn a reddish brown. The discoloration is caused by red blood cells that escape from swollen (distended) veins into the skin. The discolored skin is vulnerable, and even a minor injury, such as that from scratching or a bump, can break it open, resulting in an ulcer. Ulcers may also develop without any known injury, typically on the inside of the ankle. Ulcers are usually only slightly uncomfortable. A very painful ulcer might be infected.

If edema is severe and persistent, scar tissue develops and traps fluid in the tissues. As a result, the calf permanently enlarges and feels hard. In such cases, ulcers are more likely to develop, and they heal less easily.

Doctors usually can diagnose chronic venous insufficiency based on its appearance and symptoms.

Sometimes doctors do ultrasonography of the legs to make sure the edema is not caused by deep vein thrombosis Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of blood clots (thrombi) in the deep veins, usually in the legs. Blood clots may form in veins if the vein is injured, a disorder causes the blood to clot... read more .

Losing weight, participating in regular exercise, and reducing the amount of sodium in the diet, can help keep blood pressure in the leg veins low.

People who have had deep venous thrombosis should take anticoagulants Anticoagulant drugs Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of blood clots (thrombi) in the deep veins, usually in the legs. Blood clots may form in veins if the vein is injured, a disorder causes the blood to clot... read more to prevent postphlebitic syndrome. Compression stockings do not prevent the development of chronic venous insufficiency but are useful for treatment.

Treatment involves

Elevating the leg above the level of the heart decreases pressure in the veins, and should be done for 30 minutes or longer at least 3 times per day.

Compression is effective and used for all people to help reduce swelling and discomfort. Elastic bandages are used first. Once edema decreases and ulcers begin to heal, people can use commercial graduated compression stockings. Such stockings are available with different amounts of pressure (highest pressure at ankles and lower pressures higher on the leg). Higher pressure stockings are more effective for severe problems but are more uncomfortable. Stockings should be put on when people awaken, before leg edema worsens with activity, and worn all day. Many people have difficulty using the stockings regularly. People may consider the stockings unattractive. Younger or more active people may consider stockings irritating or restricting. Older people may have difficulty putting them on.

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) uses a pump to repeatedly inflate and deflate hollow plastic leggings. IPC squeezes blood and fluid out of the lower legs but is cumbersome. IPC therapy is used when compression stockings are not effective or the person in unable to tolerate them.

Wound care is important to heal leg ulcers. Various dressings have been developed that can be left under compression stockings for several days to a week. The Unna boot dressing uses zinc oxide–impregnated bandages. Other dressings provide a moist environment for wound healing and promote growth of new tissue.

Drugs and surgery do not help chronic venous insufficiency, although skin grafting can be a last resort for skin ulcers that have not healed with other measures. However, the grafted skin will reulcerate unless the person consistently follows leg elevation and compression instructions.

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.