What treatment options are available for my CVI? I can't sit nor stand in one place and I have heavy, achy legs all the time.

I started to have achy, heavy leg feelings about a month after I sprained my right ankle and scratched my left knee last April. I was diagnosed with CVI (reflux on GSV and other veins ) through ultrasound several months later. I have no visible sign on my legs (no swelling, no varicose vein), but the heavy and achy legs torture me all the time. I can't sit nor stand in one place. Elevation instantly relieves my symptoms. Any light at end of the tunnel? I wear compression stockings religiously.

Answers from doctors (8)


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Apr 20, 2016

There are multiple options. I recommend thermal ablation of GCV via laser or RF.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

There are multiple options. I recommend thermal ablation of GCV via laser or RF.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Apr 15, 2016

Maybe you need to have the reflux treated.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Maybe you need to have the reflux treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Apr 15, 2016

Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are managed by a vascular surgeon. A venous duplex ultrasound with reflux assessment is required for therapeutic intervention.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are managed by a vascular surgeon. A venous duplex ultrasound with reflux assessment is required for therapeutic intervention.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

Published on Apr 15, 2016

Compression hose, leg elevation, vasculera, and anti-inflammatory medications are all treatment options for CVI.

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Answered by Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

Compression hose, leg elevation, vasculera, and anti-inflammatory medications are all treatment options for CVI.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


NE Laser Vein Institute LLC

Published on Apr 14, 2016

Please have a vascular doctor look at your veins & follow the necessary treatment recommended.

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Answered by NE Laser Vein Institute LLC

Please have a vascular doctor look at your veins & follow the necessary treatment recommended.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Apr 13, 2016

Your best option is endovenous laser ablation of the GSV (great saphenous vein). This is a minimally invasive office procedure performed under local anesthetic. A board-certified vascular-trained surgeon who specializes in these procedures is the best option. There is little downtime and rapid recovery. Your have met all the criteria for most insurance companies. There are a few who will not approve the procedure without the presence of varicose veins, but they are rare. You certainly should consider doing this soon to restore your quality of life.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Your best option is endovenous laser ablation of the GSV (great saphenous vein). This is a minimally invasive office procedure performed under local anesthetic. A board-certified vascular-trained surgeon who specializes in these procedures is the best option. There is little downtime and rapid recovery. Your have met all the criteria for most insurance companies. There are a few who will not approve the procedure without the presence of varicose veins, but they are rare. You certainly should consider doing this soon to restore your quality of life.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI, RPhS

Published on Apr 13, 2016

You don't need to see visible veins to have clinically-significant venous insufficiency. I recommend that you get the insufficiency treated by a certified vein specialist with ABVLM credentials.

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Answered by Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI, RPhS

You don't need to see visible veins to have clinically-significant venous insufficiency. I recommend that you get the insufficiency treated by a certified vein specialist with ABVLM credentials.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Apr 13, 2016

The reason you have the symptoms that you are having is because of the CVI. It is not the "cosmetic" issue that most tend to believe; it is in fact a primary circulatory disorder, very similar to peripheral artery disease (PAD). Your treatment should entail the treatment of your entire leg(s), from the GSV all the way out to the skin surface. Only then can you adequately address the circulatory defect that is causing your symptoms. Many self-proclaimed vein docs out there will seek to only treat your GSV with a laser procedure. In their mind, that is all you require. Unfortunately, treatment of the GSV is only the starting point as it only accounts for a small percentage of the overall vein issue within your legs. If you want your legs to feel normal again, you need to find a vein doc that will treat all aspects of your leg. Their goal should be to fix the circulation, not just address the cosmetic.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

The reason you have the symptoms that you are having is because of the CVI. It is not the "cosmetic" issue that most tend to believe; it is in fact a primary circulatory disorder, very similar to peripheral artery disease (PAD). Your treatment should entail the treatment of your entire leg(s), from the GSV all the way out to the skin surface. Only then can you adequately address the circulatory defect that is causing your symptoms. Many self-proclaimed vein docs out there will seek to only treat your GSV with a laser procedure. In their mind, that is all you require. Unfortunately, treatment of the GSV is only the starting point as it only accounts for a small percentage of the overall vein issue within your legs. If you want your legs to feel normal again, you need to find a vein doc that will treat all aspects of your leg. Their goal should be to fix the circulation, not just address the cosmetic.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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