Leg Pain Treatment in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (SD)

Leg Pain

Leg pain is common, but in some cases may be a sign of vein disease. If your leg pain is constant and grows worse after sitting or standing for long periods of time, or if you have a dull ache or itching around one or more veins, you may have a vein-related condition that can be treated to relive your pain.

Common causes of leg pain 

  • Varicose veins—bulging, rope-like veins that are caused by weakened, stretched out vein walls
  • Spider veins—superficial red, blue, or purple veins that have a web-like appearance
  • Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a defect in the vein walls and valves that causes blood to pool inside the veins instead of flowing to the heart
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein that can be potentially life-threatening if it travels to the lungs
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis—a blood clot in a vein near the surface of the skin. 

Treating the causes of leg pain 

The right treatment for your leg pain depends on the condition that is causing it. Common treatments for varicose veins, spider veins, and CVI include: 
  • Self-care—losing weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time, and elevating your legs frequently can reduce leg pain and keep your symptoms from worsening.
  • Compression stockings—these garments squeeze your legs to boost your blood flow and support weakened veins. This can help with leg swelling and chronic pain.
  • Sclerotherapy—this is a non-invasive, in-office procedure where your doctor injects a liquid or foam chemical into your varicose veins, causing them collapse and eventually dissolve. 
  • Laser therapy—strong bursts of targeted light are used to close off smaller varicose veins and spider veins. This procedure is commonly done for cosmetic reasons. 
  • Endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA)—your doctor inserts a wire-like catheter into your varicose vein through a small incision and heats it with either laser (EVLA) or radiofrequency energy (ERFA). The heat shrinks and collapses the problem vein, and it eventually dissolves. 
  • Vein stripping—your doctor removes the large vein in your leg called the great saphenous vein (GSV) through incisions in your groin and ankle. (This procedure is now uncommon because less-invasive treatments are available.) 
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy—small, superficial varicose veins are removed through tiny punctures or incisions along the skin. This is often combined with sclerotherapy.
  • Endoscopic vein surgery—your doctor will insert a tiny wire-like catheter with a camera into your leg and then remove the varicose veins through small cuts in the skin. This is usually only performed for severe cases of varicose veins that are causing skin ulcers.
Treatments for blood clot related conditions such as DVT or superficial thrombophlebitis include:
  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners)—medication used to treat DVT. These blood thinners keep clots from getting bigger, and may also prevent new clots from forming. 
  • Thrombolytics—a drug that is delivered intravenously or directly into the blood clot to dissolve it, improve blood flow, and limit damage caused by the blood clot. Thrombolytics can cause serious bleeding, so they are only used in emergency situations.
  • Surgically inserted filters—your surgeon puts these filters into your veins to prevent DVT blood clots from travelling to the lungs, where they can cause a potentially life threatening condition called pulmonary embolism. 

Costs

The cost of treating leg pain can vary depending on your area, physician and insurance coverage. Generally, your health insurance may cover a treatment if your doctor determines that it is medically necessary.


About Physicians Vein Clinics

Thank You For Choosing Physicians Vein Clinics

Physicians Vein Clinics is proud to offer the region’s finest vein removal services, using state-of-the-art technology and the skill of a board certified vein physician and laser expert.

About that free screening…

If you have ever wondered whether or not your vein problems can be easily fixed, find out with a free screening at Physicians Vein Clinics. The screening won’t take long and you’re under no obligation to receive further services. We should also be able to tell you whether your insurance will cover the procedure.

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Your free screening consists of three steps:
  1. We will review your medical history and perform a visual exam of the problem area. If necessary, an ultrasound examination will be obtained to identify the underlying cause of your problem. The ultrasound diagnosis isn’t needed very often, but if it is, this is a separate diagnostic test that requires billing to your insurance.
  2. We will diagnose your vein issues and discuss expected outcomes with you.
  3. Dr. Hansen will perform a visual exam and talk over the next course of action with you. If it is determined that your case is medical in nature, we will schedule a consult that consists of mapping and drawing your veins to prove venous deficiency and submit it to your insurance company. If the problems are cosmetic, they will discuss costs and treatment options with you.
Once you decide to move forward with treatment, we will work around your schedule to perform the procedures. Each outpatient procedure is different, but you should expect to return to normal activities in no time with minimal discomfort. Your specific treatment expectations and after-care will be discussed in detail prior to your appointment. Our professional and friendly staff is here to answer all your questions and make your time with us comfortable.

Featured Specialist for Leg Pain Treatment in Sioux Falls, SD

Physicians Vein Clinics

Lornell E. Hansen II, M.D.

Call Now: (605) 937-6503
3401 S. Kelley Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57106

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