Leg Pain After 50? Paul Found Relief with the Best Vein Doctors in North Texas
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
Paul’s Story: “Backflow of Veins Was Interrupting My Life”
Paul*, a 52-year-old man living in Collin County, expected some changes after he turned 50. He laughed with his friends about their bodies not working quite the same as when they were 25. At first when his legs began to hurt, he accepted it as part of aging. However, as the leg pain worsened and became more frequent, he decided it was time to get a diagnosis and find treatment. Having heard from a relative that leg pain can be caused by vein disease, he made an appointment with the best vein doctors at StrideCare in Craig Ranch.
Diagnostic Venous Ultrasound Led Paul to CVI
At his first appointment, Paul had a diagnostic venous ultrasound to get a closer look at the veins in his legs. Ultrasounds are non-surgical, non-invasive and take about 45 to 60 minutes. Paul remained comfortable through the entire process. First, a small amount of gel was applied to his skin. It felt a little cold, but it did not hurt at all. Next, the technician pressed the ultrasound wand onto his leg, moving it as needed to get a complete view of the blood circulation in Pau’s legs. After the process, Paul was able to return to his everyday activities without any needed recovery time.
The ultrasound enabled his vein doctor to diagnose the cause of Paul’s leg pain. Paul had chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), or as he called it, “backflow of veins”. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that affects approximately 40% of the US population. It develops over time and is caused by malfunctioning valves in the legs. In normally functioning valves, blood flow is directed from the legs back to the heart. However, faulty valves due to CVI leak blood back into the legs, causing it to pool. The pooling blood and pressure caused the leg pain Paul hoped to alleviate with vein treatment.
Not all patients experience every symptom of CVI. Paul’s main symptom was leg pain, aching and cramping. His legs felt tired and heavy, and they would swell at the end of the workday.
Symptoms of CVI Include:
- Varicose and/or spider veins
- Aching and painful legs
- Legs feel heavy and tired
- Cramping in legs
- Tired feeling in legs
- Swelling
- Skin discoloration
- Restless legs
- Slow healing wounds and ulcers, especially on the feet and lower legs
Risk factors of CVI include a family history of vein disease and long periods of sitting or standing. Women pose a higher risk of CVI after pregnancy.
Best Treatment Plan for Paul’s Leg Pain
After his diagnosis, Paul was eager to learn about his treatment options. First, Paul wore compression socks for six weeks to give some relief to his leg pain. Next, the expert vein doctor at StrideCare in Craig Ranch performed radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to cauterize and close the damaged veins in Paul’s legs. With the vein sealed, blood recirculates to healthy veins, improving blood flow and preventing pooling.
RFA is a minimally invasive procedure, with fewer complications and a shorter recovery period than traditional surgeries. Plus, there is little to no scarring. At Stridecare, RFA is performed by board-certified interventional radiologists, specially trained in leading edge procedures to treat vascular diseases. During RFA, after the patient is given a localized anesthetic, a catheter is inserted into the vein through a tiny incision. Guided by ultrasound imaging, the expert vein doctor applies radiofrequency energy to each abnormal section of the vein, causing it to shrink around the catheter. At the end of the process, the catheter is completely removed, and the vein is sealed.
“My Workday Has Improved” Paul Says
After a short recovery period, Paul was able to return to his normal activities without the leg pain he previously encountered. “My workday has improved, and I am able to do more since the pain is gone!” Plus, he is hopeful that the procedure will prevent additional vein disease in the future. He has an improved quality of life and no longer thinks that being over 50 means he must suffer through leg pain. Paul was very happy with the patient care he received at StrideCare and has recommended the best vein doctors at the Craig Ranch location to many friends and neighbors.
Leg Pain Relief Is in Reach at StrideCare
The physicians at StrideCare are board-certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology. With multiple locations in D/FW, StrideCare has long been a leader in North Texas, performing leading-edge procedures to treat venous disease such as chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, spider veins, restless leg syndrome, pelvic congestion syndrome, iliac vein stenosis and more—all the while providing compassionate patient care.
If you have questions about CVI or are experiencing leg pain, the experts at StrideCare will recommend an individualized plan to help you get the best results.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
*Patient stories are true. Names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.
