Venous insufficiency involves one or more veins. Valves in the veins usually push the flow of blood toward the heart. When these valves are damaged, the blood leaks and pools in the legs and feet. The condition may also be caused by a blockage in a vein from a clot (deep vein thrombosis).
Chronic venous insufficiency is a long-term condition. It occurs because of partial vein blockage or blood leakage around the valves of the veins.
Persons with chronic venous insufficiency may also have:
Skin color changes around the ankles
Redness of legs and ankles
Thickening of the skin on legs and ankles
Ulcers on the legs and ankles
Review Date: 5/24/2006
Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Venous Disease
