Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which blood doesn’t flow up normally through the veins in the legs toward the heart. Blood begins to pool and veins swell as the pressure inside increases, often causing inflammation and redness, which can advance to brown discoloration and leg ulcers.
Those who have untreated varicose veins often see this darkening of the skin around the ankle, known as hyperpigmentation. The brown staining around the ankles is caused by red blood cells leaking from the veins and into the surrounding skin. The skin may become dry, itchy or leathery, and can progress into open sores which are called venous stasis ulcers or leg ulcers.
There are more than 200,000 reported cases of venous skin ulcers per year, and the risk of leg ulcers increases with age. The ulcers develop in areas where blood pools, and swelling interferes with the movement of oxygen and nutrients through the tissues. They generally appear just above the ankle on the inside of the leg and can be very painful. When left untreated, they can quickly become infected or even gangrenous.
Leg ulcers are usually recurrent, and open ulcers can persist from weeks to years with severe complications. Additionally, because they are often resistant to healing and are prone to recurrence, they can significantly increase the risks for disease or death, and also have a consequential impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from them.
However, new laser technology has revolutionized leg ulcers treatment to relieve the pain and begin healing. The laser treatment is used on certain veins in the leg to reduce the pressure around the venous ulcers. This laser treatment works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear, with no need for incisions.
There’s minimal discomfort, and most treatments are characterized as being virtually painless. With these modern therapies, most people can resume their daily activities immediately after treatment. Additionally, most major health insurance carriers provide coverage for the treatment of vein disease and venous insufficiency when medically necessary.
Because smaller, newer ulcers are easier to treat than larger or infected leg ulcers, it’s crucial to seek treatment from an experienced vein specialist at the first sign of a venous skin ulcer.
If you would like more information regarding leg ulcers treatment, please contact the Goldman Vein Institute today at one of our two convenient locations:
Jupiter 561-625-9853 or Wellington 561-790-4550 or visit us at www.goldmanveininstitute.com.
At the Goldman Vein Institute, our mission is to provide our patients with comprehensive care for varicose veins, spider veins, and other conditions caused by venous insufficiency. Our highly-qualified and experienced, board-certified vein specialists, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Varghese-Goldman, combine their extensive knowledge and experience, with the latest innovations in vein treatments.
With our offices in Jupiter and Wellington Florida, the Goldman Vein Institute serves patients from Stuart, Hobe Sound, Tequesta, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Hialeah, Sunny Isles, Bay Harbor, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach, Aventura, Surfside, Hallandale, and Hollywood, and we welcome patients across South Florida to visit our state-of-the-art vein centers, where we provide the latest in vein treatment technology.
