Do Your Legs Throb in Pain? If So, You May Suffer from Vein Pain

By walking and standing the pressure in the veins of your lower body is increased. These veins become enlarged and for some people a more noticeably blue and painful.

“When a vein is dilated or its valves are damaged, blood moves in the wrong direction. It leaks down the leg vein and “backs up.” This can cause the leg to ache and swell, and feel tired, or heavy,” said Dr. Saeed Darbandi, board certified general and vascular surgeon at Silver Cross Hospital.

Although varicose veins are unsightly, that is not the only reason to have them removed.  “Your veins are very important,” says Dr. Darbandi.  “After your arteries take the blood to your legs, your veins carry blood back to the heart using one-way valves.  If the valves don’t work properly, blood accumulates in the veins causing them to become enlarged, or varicose.

Symptoms

Symptoms of varicose veins include throbbing, burning, itching, cramping or restless legs, and a feeling of fatigue or heaviness. In severe cases, inflammation or even ulcers can occur on the lower leg.

Treatment Options

Treatment plans vary for each individual, however, generally, treatment begins with compression stockings and an ultrasound of the superficial veins, after which may require  minimally invasive Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) to treat the superficial vein. This is recommended to relieve symptoms of varicose veins initially. Then, you will work with your physician to customize a care plan which can include minimally invasive procedures and surgery.

All forms of treatment remove bad veins. Therefore, the remaining veins take over the workload, carrying the blood where it needs to go. Blood flow then becomes more efficient. Sclerotherapy, where a tiny needle injects the vein with a medication to collapse it, is usually used for spider veins or smaller varicose veins.  Laser beams are also used to treat small veins.  These procedures are used in combination as well, and usually require multiple treatments. All treatments are offered at in an outpatient clinic setting, allowing for a quick recovery. 

Free lecture

If you would like to learn more about varicose vein procedures, Join Dr. Saeed Darbandi, general surgeon on staff at Silver Cross Hospital, on Monday, July 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a free discussion on the latest treatments for varicose veins and leg ulcers. This program will be held at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or visit www.silvercross.org to register.

About Dr. Saeed Darbandi, M.D.

As a board certified surgeon, Dr. Saeed Darbandi performs general and vascular surgery, specializing in the latest minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of varicose veins. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has been serving the Will County community since 1998. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Darbandi at the Vein and Laser Center located in Orland Park & Joliet at 815-744-0005.