SpecialistCondition · Dubai
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment in Dubai
Heavy, aching legs that swell by the evening are easy to put down to standing all day, and often that is all it is. When it persists, it is worth finding out whether the veins are managing — because this is the one leg-vein problem where waiting has a cost.
What it is
Chronic Venous Insufficiency, explained.
Chronic venous insufficiency is a long-standing problem with the leg veins returning blood to the heart. Pressure builds in the veins of the lower leg, producing heaviness, aching and swelling, and over time changes in the skin.
When the valves in the leg veins fail over a long period, blood pools in the lower leg and pressure rises. Fluid moves into the surrounding tissue, which is what produces the swelling and the heavy, tired feeling by the end of the day.
Sustained pressure gradually changes the skin around the ankle: discolouration, hardening, dryness and eczema-like irritation. In longer-standing cases the skin can break down into an ulcer, which is far easier to prevent than to treat.
A previous clot in a deep vein, varicose veins, family history, prolonged standing, body weight and age all contribute. It can exist with or without visible varicose veins.
Common signs
What people usually notice.
- Heaviness or aching in the legs, worse by evening
- Swelling around the ankles that eases overnight
- Tight or 'full' feeling in the calves
- Skin discolouration, often brownish, near the ankle
- Dry, itchy or eczema-like skin on the lower leg
- Cramping or restless legs at night
Signs overlap between conditions, and this list is not a diagnosis. What you have is established by examination, not by a checklist.
Assessment
How a specialist works out what is going on.
- 01
History
How long it has been going on, the daily pattern, previous clots or vein treatment, and what makes it better or worse.
- 02
Examination
The legs are examined standing, with particular attention to the skin around the ankle, where the earliest changes show.
- 03
Duplex ultrasound
Ultrasound shows which veins are failing and whether there is evidence of previous clot, which changes what is appropriate.
- 04
The plan
What is driving it, what to do about the pressure now, and whether treating an underlying vein is appropriate.
What may be considered
Options a specialist may discuss with you.
Which of these is appropriate — if any — depends entirely on what the assessment finds. They are described here so you know what the conversation may cover, not as a menu to choose from.
- Compression & conservative measuresCompression, elevation and movement are the foundation of managing venous pressure, and are discussed with almost everyone assessed here.
- Endovenous & Surgical TreatmentWhere ultrasound identifies a specific failing vein, your specialist sets out the interventional options and what each involves.
- SclerotherapyRelevant for associated surface veins, generally after any underlying problem has been addressed.
Seek urgent care
Sudden swelling, calf pain or breathlessness is an emergency.
The symptoms of long-standing venous problems build slowly. A sudden change is different. Go to an emergency department or call for urgent medical help if one leg swells suddenly, if you develop new calf pain or tenderness, or if the skin becomes warm, red or discoloured — and especially if you also have chest pain, breathlessness or you cough blood. These can indicate a clot in a deep vein or in the lungs. Do not wait for a routine consultation with us.
An open sore or ulcer on the lower leg also needs prompt medical attention rather than a routine appointment.
When to be seen
Don’t wait this one out.
Outside an emergency, get assessed if the heaviness and swelling have become a daily pattern, if the skin near your ankle is changing colour or hardening, or if the leg is itching or breaking out. Skin changes are the signal not to leave it, because preventing skin breakdown is considerably easier than healing it.
Questions
Good to know.
Is this the same as varicose veins?
Will compression stockings fix it?
Why do my legs feel worse in the evening?
How much does treatment cost?
Licensed & Regulated
DHA-licensed. MOHAP-approved.
Every treatment is delivered at Shookra, a DHA-licensed medical facility in Dubai. Every physician and clinician on our team is DHA-licensed and works to clinical protocol. Our health communications are independently reviewed and approved by the UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP).
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Get it assessed properly.
Message our team on WhatsApp and we’ll arrange a specialist consultation in Business Bay — assessment first, options after.