(866) 552-4866 Nina* promised her grandchildren that this year would be different. After months of dealing with leg pain that kept her from playing with them at the park, walking the aisles at the toy store, or even standing in the kitchen to bake their favorite chocolate chip cookies, she finally agreed to see a specialist. And she reiterated to family and friends that it was not to get her hands on another bottle of pain pills or agree to an invasive surgery. Rather, it was to uncover the root cause of her pain and step into a new year feeling stronger, more energized, and pain-free.
Fast-forward to today, and she could not have been more right about her decision. She learned the root cause of her leg pain was not age or even an overlooked injury. The ongoing aching, throbbing, swelling, and cramping she'd been pushing through were warning signs of vascular problems hidden in her veins and arteries. Each required a very different approach, but thanks to a knowledgeable vascular doctor who had access to several minimally invasive treatment options, Nina fulfilled the promise she had made to her grandkids faster than she ever imagined.
Stories like Nina's are common. Perhaps you are dealing with unexplained leg pain. But it does not have to be that way forever. Our StrideCare vascular specialists are here to help you on your unique healthcare journey.
Your leg pain could be vascular-related. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to learn how advanced treatments can help.
Difference Between Vein Disease and Artery Disease
It can be frustrating not knowing what is causing your legs to be constantly tired, sluggish, or painful. Many people prefer to point to a specific injury or activity—for instance, an intense workout, a long day on your feet at work, or a strained muscle. It may not make the pain go away, but at least you know why and how to commonly treat it. However, in many of these cases, the hidden culprit may be a vascular issue happening beneath the surface.
When we say vascular, we refer to the system of vessels that carry blood throughout the body to support critical functions. These are called veins and arteries:
- Veins — Return deoxygenated blood from your organs back to your heart. The veins in your legs include valves that help keep blood from flowing backward.
- Arteries — Serve a slightly different function from veins in that they deliver oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of your body.
When these processes work as they should, you are healthy and living your best life without any signs of leg pain. When they do not work correctly, blood flow slows to a crawl, vain valves malfunction, and blood can begin flowing backward in the wrong direction and cause your veins to bulge, stretch, and enlarge. Meanwhile, arteries can become clogged by plaque buildup or be damaged by other complications. When this happens, oxygenated blood can't reach your organs quickly, and you begin experiencing a variety of life-altering symptoms.
Vein disease symptoms can include any of the following:
- Tired and heavy legs
- Swollen legs and feet
- Unsightly varicose veins
- Throbbing, achiness, or stabbing pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Itching, prickling, pulling sensations
- Burning sensations
Artery disease can include any of the following symptoms:
- Ulcers, open sores that don't heal
- Painful cramping in the legs while active that subside when resting
- Changes in the leg appearance (shiny skin, lost leg hair, color)
- Cold legs and feet
- Dry, scaly, flaky, or leathery skin
- No pulse or a weak pulse in legs
The Good News Is That Your Leg Pain Is Treatable
Vascular specialists like the team here at StrideCare are committed to diagnosing and treating the root cause of your leg pain rather than focusing solely on symptoms. When the root cause is addressed, patients typically find they are less in discomfort and can go on to lead normal lives.
Several minimally invasive treatment options are available to provide the leg pain relief you've been looking for. This includes:
1. Varithena Microfoam ablation — With this procedure, your specialist injects a special microfoam into your affected veins to relieve symptoms without the use of heat or tumescent. The foam fills the desired section of the vein, and the diseased vein collapses. Blood flow then shifts to healthier veins nearby.
2. Radiofrequency ablation — A thin catheter is inserted into the diseased vein through a small puncture. The catheter is guided up into the great saphenous vein in the thigh or the small saphenous vein in the calf. The radiofrequency energy is delivered to the inside of the vein, which cuts off blood flow and relieves symptoms.
3. Sclerotherapy — Specialists inject a small amount of a specially formulated chemical solution full of sclerosing agents into the affected veins to reduce pain and discomfort caused by the enlargement or swelling of the veins. This solution irritates the vein walls and causes the vein to collapse and disappear.
4. Compression therapy — This therapy primarily involves the use of compression stockings designed to apply pressure to the legs, aiding in the proper flow of blood and lymphatic fluid, which is crucial for overall leg health. We offer a range of compression stocking options tailored to each patient's needs and lifestyle.
5. Laser ablation — This innovative technique utilizes the precision of laser energy to specifically target and effectively close off problematic veins. This is an ideal solution for patients looking to resume their daily routines quickly.
You do not have to leg pain control your life. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today. Our collaborative approach ensures that you receive the care you need.
6. Stenting — A stenting procedure involves the placement of a small metal or mesh tube into a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. The stent acts as a scaffold, keeping the blood vessel open and preventing it from collapsing or becoming blocked again. This procedure is commonly used to treat arterial and venous disease.
7. VenaSeal — This treatment method does not rely on heat to seal the veins; rather, a medical-grade adhesive is used to close them. This innovative approach offers a less invasive and more comfortable option for patients.
8. Venous thrombectomy — A thrombectomy employs various techniques to extract or break down the clot, depending on its size and location. Most of the time, this procedure is conducted through a minimally invasive approach with a small incision and tiny catheters.
9. Venous and arterial angioplasty — Although commonly linked to treating artery disease, this technique is equally effective for vein-related issues. It uses a balloon system to open narrowed or blocked veins or arteries.
10. Atherectomy — Laser technology that clears plaque build-up on arteries. It can be performed on its own but is often combined with angioplasty and a stent. In this procedure, plaque buildup in the arteries is removed using a laser. This ensures blood vessels can move blood through the body without any complications.
Featured in this video is StrideCare's expert Interventional Radiologist Dr. S. Michael Humphrey, M.D. discussing what to expect during a doppler ultrasound. A doppler ultrasound is one of the most common, quick, non-invasive, and efficient diagnostic tests that determine the health of veins and arteries.
StrideCare Can Help With Your Leg Pain This Year
Do you have chronic leg pain? Are you worried that your symptoms could be a sign of more serious health conditions related to vein disease or artery disease? If the symptoms above sound all too familiar, speak with one of our StrideCare vascular specialists. It's important to recognize circulation issues in their earliest stages and seek help from a medical professional who can guide you on your next steps.
StrideCare's mission is to surround ourselves with the best in this field so that our patients are never short of options for reclaiming their lives. Our doctors stay on the cutting edge of medicine, helping patients avoid traditionally long, invasive surgeries used in the past to treat vascular disease. They diagnose and treat using innovative, minimally invasive procedures with little to no pain, short recovery times and high success rates. The experts at StrideCare will recommend a personalized plan to help you achieve the best results.
StrideCare continues to be a leader in performing leading-edge procedures to treat these and other conditions—all the while providing compassionate patient care. Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation.
StrideCare Vascular serves North Texas and South Texas communities, including Midland, North Dallas, Odessa, Paris, Pecos, Plano, Prosper, Rockwall, Round Rock, Rowlett, Royce City, San Antonio, Sherman, South Dallas, Southlake, Stone Oak, Sugar Land, Sulphur Springs, The Woodlands, Waxahachie, Webster, Addison, Allen, Anna, Arlington, Austin, Carrollton, Celina, Clear Lake, Craig Ranch, Dallas, Euless, Flower Mound, Forney, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Houston, Irving, Katy, Kaufman, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, and more.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.