Veins are an important part of your circulatory system. They carry blood from various parts of the body back to your heart. Valves inside the…
What Is Vein Reflux Disease?

Veins are an important part of your circulatory system. They carry blood from various parts of the body back to your heart. Valves inside the veins, along with muscles and supportive fascial tissues, actively facilitate blood flow to the heart.1 These mechanisms are especially important in the legs, where venous blood flow must overcome gravity.
When these valves are damaged or ineffective because of the widening of the veins, blood flows in the reverse direction and pools in your legs. This condition is known as vein reflux or chronic venous insufficiency.2 Reduced muscle tone because of aging and poor nutrition are contributing factors. Vein reflux disease can cause swelling, leg ulcers, and other symptoms.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency can affect the superficial veins near the skin, the deep veins that run through the muscles, or the perforating veins that connect the two.3 This condition is more common in older people.
Several factors can cause venous reflux:4
- Being overweight
- Pregnancy
- Injury or previous surgery on a leg
- Standing for long periods
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
- Inflammation of veins (phlebitis)
- Family history of this disorder
Vein Reflux Symptoms
Venous reflux causes blood to pool in your legs. Though not a dangerous condition, venous reflux can cause several troublesome symptoms, including:5
- Swelling in ankles and legs
- Pain when walking
- Varicose veins
- Leg ulcers
- Changes in skin color
- Cramps or muscle spasms
Chronic venous insufficiency is not life-threatening, but it can be painful and restrict your activities. During examination, your doctor may ask for tests like duplex ultrasound or magnetic resonance (MR) venography to confirm the condition.6
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment
Your doctor will decide whether you need treatment depending on your age, the severity of your symptoms, other health conditions, and your preferences. The goals of treatment are to improve the blood flow in your veins, help your ulcers heal, and reduce pain and swelling.7
Lifestyle changes. Regular exercise improves muscle strength and venous return.8 In addition, keeping your legs raised helps blood flow and reduces swelling.9
Compression. Gradient compression stockings reduce pooling and promote blood flow. They also alleviate discomfort.10
Weight management. Excess body weight damages the venous valves and puts pressure on the veins. Maintaining a healthy weight is important.
Medicines. Blood thinners prevent and treat blood clots. Antibiotics clear any infection and contribute to ulcer healing.
Sclerotherapy. Your provider injects a chemical solution or foam into dilated veins to collapse them.
Endovenous thermal ablation. Laser or radio waves are used to damage the lining of the veins and collapse them.
Surgery. Microphlebectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to treat larger varicose veins.
My Vein Treatment provides researched articles to help you learn more about venous disorders. You can also use our physician locator to find a vein specialist near you.
SOURCES:
- Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy: “Lower extremity venous reflux.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy: “Lower extremity venous reflux.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.“