What is Venous Insufficiency?
There are veins deep in the legs with valves that help blood flow back up towards the heart. When the walls of these veins weaken and the valves become damaged, both fail to function properly. This results in blood pooling in the veins rather than moving back to the heart. This condition is known as venous insufficiency.
Along with malfunctioning vein valves and walls, venous insufficiency may also occur if there has been a blood clot in the legs, or other contributing factors including:

• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• A family history of venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis in the legs
• Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Advanced age
• Hormonal changes
• Immobility or reduced mobility

Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency can create heaviness, night cramping, achiness or pain in the legs that may worsen upon standing and subside when the legs are raised. Other symptoms of venous insufficiency include:

• Leg, foot, and ankle swelling (edema), itching and tingling
• Varicose veins: large, twisted veins on the surface of the skin
• Restless legs
• Venous stasis ulcers: Slow-healing wounds or ulcers on the legs and ankles
• Stasis dermatitis: changes in the skin due to pooling blood in veins such as crusting, swelling and weeping
• Itchiness or cracking skin if it is scratched
• Claudication: cramping limb pain

Treating Venous Insufficiency
Symptoms such as these will prompt your podiatrist to examine you and review your medical history. They may also test the blood flow in your veins with a duplex ultrasound.
If a diagnosis of venous insufficiency is made, your podiatrist may suggest using VEINOPLUS® Technology. This patented technology can be used as both a treatment and prevention of venous insufficiency, as well as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and deep venous thrombosis.

How Does VEINOPLUS® Technology Work?
VEINOPLUS® is a medical electro-stimulation device that increases circulation in the legs by stimulating the calf muscle pump—which is known as the body’s “second heart.” A small, hand-held device is connected to electrodes placed on the calf muscles, which send electric pulses to stimulate calf muscle contractions. These contractions activate the all-important calf muscular pump—which is responsible for 80% of the body’s venous blood return to the heart. VEINOPLUS® technology also significantly increases arterial blood inflow in the lower limbs.
The VEINOPLUS® system is safe, easy to use, painless, controllable, and portable. Podiatrists will instruct patients on usage depending on their symptoms. Typically, VEINOPLUS® is used at least once a day, usually in the evening. More serious symptoms may require additional sessions per day. The device will automatically shut off after 30 minutes, so there is no risk of overuse.
Patients with painful, heavy sensations in their legs often feel relief after the first VEINOPLUS® session. This system treats symptoms in all stages of venous insufficiency, reducing swelling in the legs as well as night cramps and restless legs. It’s even safe enough to use during pregnancy, and also reduces the risk of amputation in diabetic patients.

If you are suffering from painful symptoms due to venous insufficiency, contact your podiatrist about getting relief through the VEINOPLUS® system.