Venous Insufficiency

A close up of a person 's legs with varicose veins

Venous insufficiency is a condition where veins cannot adequately transfer blood from the legs back up to the heart. Inside the veins are valves that operate like one way valves, directing the flow of blood from the feet up to the heart.


The heart pumps the blood through the arteries down to the feet. But we don't have a second heart in our feet to pump the blood back up against gravity. Our calf muscles are the second pump. They help pump the blood in the veins from the feet to the heart to become oxygenated in the lungs. The blood is only pumped up a few inches at a time, and when the calf muscle relaxes, these vein valves will not allow the blood to fall back downhill.  When the valves become damaged, the blood pools in the veins in the lower legs. This puts pressure on the veins. Over time, the pressure can lead to varicose veins, swelling, aching, skin changes (hardening and bronze discoloration), and eventually ulcers/sores.


Dr. Scott J. Sanders, MD, is dedicated to providing comprehensive diagnosis and stat of the art treatment for venous insufficiency. He will take the time to answer any questions you may have about venous insufficiency and help you decide on the best treatment. For more information, call (270)-845-4300 to schedule an appointment today!

Venous Insufficiency FAQs

Got a question? We can help!

  • What are the symptoms of Venous Insufficiency?

    1. Itching, spider veins in the legs
    2. Varicose veins
    3. Swelling (edema) and discomfort/aching in the legs worse with standing long periods of time
    4. Bronze discoloration (hyperpigmentation) or eczema in the lower legs, usually inside above ankles
    5. Hardening of the skin or skin dimpling above the ankles
    6. Skin ulcer (venous stasis ulcer)


  • What are the risk factors of Venous Insufficiency?

    1. Advanced age
    2. Women (hormonally related, especially if multiple pregnancies)
    3. Family history
    4. Obesity
    5. Leg injury or surgeries on legs
    6. History of DVT
    7. Occupation requiring prolonged standing

  • How is Venous Insufficiency Diagnosed?

    1. Physical exam
    2. Ultrasound exam to check for blood clots and to check vein valve function while standing/straining
    3. Occasionally CT scan or venograms/intravascular ultrasound to check for abdominal/pelvic vein narrowing or occlusion

  • What are non-surgical treatment options?

    1. Try to limit long periods of standing if possible
    2. Leg elevation (prop your legs on a couple of pillows) when not on your feet
    3. Walking/exercise to strengthen the calf muscles
    4. Weight loss
    5. Graded compression stockings/support stockings to help the blood flow back up the leg to the heart while standing

  • What are minimally invasive/surgical treatment options?

    Sclerotherapy for spider veins

    Injection of spider veins with an irritant into the vein with a very small needle which will disappear with time


    RF/laser ablation of the saphenous vein

    Placing a catheter inside of the saphenous vein under ultrasound guidance to close the vein off with heat. The saphenous vein feeds the varicose veins, so closing it off takes pressure off of the varicose veins. This pretty much replaced the old vein stripping procedure performed in the operating room.


    Foam ablation of varicose veins

    Injecting a foam solution into varicose veins under ultrasound guidance that are persistent/painful after RF/Laser ablation. May also be used to treat varicose veins when a patient's saphenous vein is normal and doesn't need to be closed off with RF/Laser.


    Venous stents

    If you are found to have abdominal or pelvic vein narrowing or blockages.


    Microstab phlebectomy

    1 mm stab incisions are made to remove varicose veins with a phlebectomy hook. Sometimes, this can be performed in the office. If extensive, it's usually done in the operating room with anesthesia.


    Call our office at (270) 845-4300 for an appointment to evaluate and then treat your venous insufficiency.