Non-Injury Related Foot & Ankle Pain
Varicose veins affect 35% of Americans, and can become quite painful for some people. If you are experiencing varicose veins in the feet and ankles, it might be time to seek treatment from a vein doctor. If you are also dealing with discomfort, these varicose veins and the subsequent pain could be a sign of other medical conditions going on, and should be checked out. United Vein & Vascular Centers can help you battle your varicose veins and win, with many locations across the US, including Arizona. Our board-certified doctors can walk you through the steps in getting the treatment you deserve, leaving your varicose veins as a thing of the past.
Arterial Disease
There are most likely two possibilities for your varicose veins in your lower extremities, and it hinges on when you experience pain and discomfort in your feet. With arterial disease, the cause is restricted blood flow into the arteries. If you experience pain when walking but the pain subsides when you rest, this is called claudication, and is a side effect of this condition. Arterial disease is most often caused by smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. This condition can be controlled with diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and blood pressure and sugar control. If these symptoms don’t sound familiar to you, then the main cause may be vein disease.
Varicose Veins In Feet & Ankles
By contrast, with vein disease, also known as vascular disease, the vein valves don’t work properly, resulting in blood pooling in the legs and irritating the nerves. You will most likely feel better when you walk around, and feel more pain and discomfort when resting. The blood is pooling and irritating while you’re resting but once your feet are moving, the calf muscles contract and move the blood within the veins and reduce irritation. Elevating your legs will also help your feet feel better, as this circulates the vein blood back to the heart. If you have arterial disease, the symptoms will not abate by elevating your feet. Signs of vascular disease include: cramping, throbbing, itching, swelling, and skin changes to your legs and feet. You may also experience restless legs during the night, which causes discomfort and pain. When left untreated, vascular disease can lead to recurring wounds, infections, and cellulitis, which is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. These symptoms can damage your skin and become a serious problem if left untreated, thus it’s important to talk with your vein doctor about possible solutions and treatment options as soon as you can.
Treatment Options
If caught early, most vein disease can be easily treated and future complications can be eliminated when symptoms can be improved. There are multiple treatment options when getting rid of your varicose veins, with most being minimally invasive, getting you back onto your feet in no time. The main goal of treating vein disease is restoring your feet and legs back to their pain free selves, no longer itching, throbbing, or swelling, and instead feeling light and flexible again.
Contact Us
Are you experiencing pain and discomfort from your varicose veins in your feet and ankles? It’s time to talk with a vein doctor and discover whether you are experiencing vascular or arterial disease, and get treatment today. United Vein & Vascular Centers are located all throughout the US, including locations in Arizona, to help you get back to your pain-free life again. Call us today!
