Are your legs swollen, especially in the evening or during the summer? Does the swelling go down when you elevate your legs? These may be early signs of vein disease. If the swelling does not improve after elevating your legs, it may be a sign of edema.

In either case, you should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. They can identify the underlying cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

What Is Venous Edema?

Edema is a noticeable buildup of fluid in the skin and the tissue beneath the skin. When pressure is applied to the swollen area, an indentation remains after the pressure is released.

Venous edema usually first develops around the ankle but can also spread to the lower leg and foot.

What Causes Venous Edema?

There are many possible causes of edema, including prolonged sitting or standing, physical inactivity, chronic vein disease, lymphedema, hereditary factors, pregnancy, surgery and trauma.

Venous edema develops when the vein valves no longer close properly. As blood pools in the veins, the blood vessels can no longer function efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the surrounding tissues.

There is often no visible difference between venous edema and lymphedema. If you experience swelling, you should consult a doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment.

What Can I Do About Venous Edema?

Your doctor will examine your symptoms and check for signs of varicose veins, skin changes or leg ulcers that may be associated with vein disease.

Using ultrasound, your doctor can assess blood flow and determine whether the edema is related to vein disease, and whether the superficial veins or the deep venous system in your legs are affected.

An early and accurate diagnosis of edema is essential to help prevent the condition from progressing and reduce the risk of more serious complications.

Medical Compression Therapy: A Non-Invasive Treatment

Medical compression therapy is considered the standard non-invasive treatment for venous edema.

Your doctor may prescribe medical compression stockings. The elastic material of the medical compression stocking applies graduated pressure to the leg and gently compresses the vein walls.

The highest level of compression is applied at the ankle and gradually decreases up the leg. This helps promote blood flow back toward the heart, reduce venous pressure and improve overall circulation.

In some cases, a massage technique known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) may also be recommended.

Are There Other Treatment Options for Venous Edema?

Venous edema is caused by underlying vein disease. In addition to non-invasive compression therapy, vein disease may also be treated with more invasive procedures. These treatment options may include:

  • Chemical Ablation


    (Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy)

    An ultrasound-guided procedure in which a liquid, foam or medical adhesive is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and close.

  • Phlebectomy & Vein Stripping


    Surgical removal of varicose veins. Superficial veins are removed through small incisions using ambulatory phlebectomy, while deeper affected veins may be removed using vein stripping.

Summary

Edema may be a sign of underlying vein disease.

Understanding Vein Disease

  • The term chronic vein disease describes a long-term condition in which venous return is impaired.

  • When vein valves do not close properly, reflux occurs. Blood flows downward and pools in the vein, leading to venous hypertension. This condition is known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and can lead to edema, skin changes and, in some cases, venous leg ulcers.

  • If left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency can lead to serious complications, including phlebitis and pulmonary embolism. The CEAP classification system is used to classify the different stages and forms of chronic vein disease.

  • Acute vein diseases usually occur without pre-existing vein disease, but they can also develop as a complication of chronic vein disease. In all cases, prompt medical attention is required. Acute vein diseases include superficial thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, post-thrombotic syndrome and bleeding varicose veins.

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