Dr. Kent Johnson, vein doc, has 25 years of experience in helping people with varicose veins in Houston, TX. He specializes in dealing with venous insufficiency problems using interventional radiology. Dr. Johnson has high credentials and standing in the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Phlebology, the American Board of Surgery, and the Vascular Laboratory Physician at Houston NW Medical Center. Dr. Kent Johnson, vein doc, is located at The Woodlands, TX.
What is Venous Insufficiency?
Dr. Kent Johnson of Metro Vein Centers in The Woodlands, TX. remains an expert in the treatment of venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency occurs when the wall or valves of leg veins aren’t working correctly. When this happens, blood can’t return from the legs to the heart as it should — blood pools in leg veins, causing stasis in these veins.
Veins contain one-way valves that cause them to flow up toward the heart. Feet and leg muscles contract with each step and cause blood to move upward from the legs back to the heart. If a person has chronic venous insufficiency, the valves in the blood vessels of the leg become damaged. Blood then leaks backward instead of moving forward to the heart, and blood pressure increases in the legs. About 40 percent of US people have vein problems in their legs. Women and individuals over 50 are most likely to have venous insufficiency and swollen legs.
Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency
The symptoms of venous insufficiency include:
- Aching legs.
- Legs that feel tired.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles after standing for a long time.
- The appearance of new varicose veins.
- Itching and flaking skin on the feet or legs.
- Leathery skin.
- Stasis ulcers.
- Venous stasis ulcers.
Untreated Venous Insufficiency
Untreated venous insufficiency causes the pressure and swelling inside a person’s leg to swell and tiny blood vessels to burst. The skin in the area then appears brownish-red and breaks open easily, becoming open sores that are hard to treat. These sores are called venous stasis ulcers. They get infected easily. This infection spreads in some cases and causes cellulitis.
Vein Doc Kent Johnson Treats Venous Insufficiency
Dr. Johnson does a physical examination and takes a complete medical history to diagnose venous insufficiency. He also uses a venogram or duplex ultrasound to get a closer look at the flow of blood in a person’s veins. Both of these tests are not painful and give Dr. Johnson a more accurate diagnosis.
Next, Dr. Johnson has several options to use to treat venous insufficiency depending on a person’s age, specific symptoms, and the severity of the condition. The first treatment used is frequently compression stockings. These stockings provide better blood flow to the legs. In addition to compression stockings, you’ll be asked to stop smoking, get regular exercise and avoid crossing your legs.
Medications also help people with venous insufficiency. Diuretics keep excess fluids from building up in the body. Anticoagulants thin the blood to prevent clots. And Trental improves blood flow throughout your body.
Surgery for Venous Insufficiency
Severe cases of venous insufficiency are treated with surgery to:
- Repair the valves or veins in the legs.
- Remove or strip the damaged vein.
- Endoscopic surgery uses a tube and a camera to tie off the vein.
- Vein bypass.
- Laser surgery closes the damaged vein.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy. This phlebectomy surgery is done on an outpatient basis.
- Sclerotherapy, uses chemicals to keep the vein from moving blood.
- Catheter procedures.
Please contact Dr. Kent Johnson today at Metro Vein Centers in Houston to schedule a consultation and take care of venous insufficiency.
