According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, varicose veins can occur in almost anyone and affect up to 35% of people in the United States. Some people may experience no symptoms, but many others suffer from swelling and pain in their legs. Many patients come to the vein specialists at Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville complaining that their legs hurt, which they often describe as an ache or “heaviness.” Some experience symptoms of throbbing or cramping, or extremely swollen legs.
Understandably, our patients often wonder why varicose veins—in addition to being unsightly—sometimes cause their legs to hurt. The pain and swelling is a result of the built-up pressure from blood pooling in the veins. This happens when the veins’ one-way valves that are designed to move the blood back to the heart become weak or deficient due to age, obesity, genetics, pregnancy, or other factors. The vein swells as the blood backs up over time, and the pressure is the source of the swelling and pain.
Symptoms typically worsen throughout the day, and some patients also experience leg pain or cramping during the night. But there are measures you can take to alleviate how much your legs hurt. Compression stockings may help with circulation in your legs, and elevating your legs above heart level may bring some relief.
However, varicose veins cannot repair themselves and typically worsen over time. If you are experiencing any leg pain, you owe it to yourself to talk to a vein specialist. Improved technology and new surgical techniques that can be done in an office setting have led to dramatic changes in the treatment of varicose veins. Today’s varicose vein procedures significantly improve patient outcomes with little to no discomfort and little to no down time. The result is an improved quality of life and lasting relief from the pain you’ve been enduring.
If you experience painful symptoms of varicose veins, consult one of the board certified vascular surgeons at Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville. Our vein specialists can help you determine the best course of treatment for your varicose veins. Request a consult online or call (865) 588-8229 and schedule an appointment today.