Restoring Healthy Leg Circulation: Expert Care for Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Stop the progression of venous reflux disease with specialized assessment and advanced, minimally invasive treatments led by Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon Dr. Luis Figueroa at VeinCentre.
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What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)?
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a progressive medical condition that occurs when the one-way valves inside your leg veins fail to function properly.
In a healthy circulatory system, leg veins work against gravity to pump oxygen-depleted blood back up toward the heart. Tiny bicuspid valves open to let blood travel upward and snap shut to prevent it from flowing backward.
When these valves become stretched or damaged, blood flows backward and pools in the lower legs, a phenomenon known as Venous Reflux. Over time, this chronic pooling leads to sustained high pressure inside the veins (Venous Hypertension), causing visible vein enlargement, swelling, inflammation, and skin changes.
Common Signs & Symptoms of CVI
Chronic Venous Insufficiency is not merely a cosmetic issue; it is a progressive vascular disease.
Symptoms often worsen toward the end of the day or after prolonged sitting or standing:
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Heavy, Tired, or Aching Legs: A dull, persistent ache that improves when you elevate your legs.
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Lower Leg & Ankle Swelling (Edema): Tightness around your socks or shoes by late afternoon.
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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) & Night Cramps: Uncomfortable urge to move your legs in bed or sudden painful calf spasms.
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Visible Varicose & Spider Veins: Twisted, bulging rope-like veins or clusters of web-like purple/blue veins.
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Skin Discoloration & Texture Changes: Reddish-brown staining (hemosiderin) around the inner ankle, dry eczema-like patches, or skin hardening (lipodermatosclerosis).
The Stages of CVI: Understanding the CEAP Scale
Venous disease progresses through predictable clinical stages if left untreated:
What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency? (Risk Factors)
Several genetic, biological, and lifestyle factors contribute to valve breakdown:
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Family History (Genetics): The leading risk factor. If one or both parents had varicose veins or CVI, your risk is significantly higher.
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Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Occupations requiring long hours on your feet (nurses, teachers, retail workers) or sedentary desk jobs reduce the pumping efficiency of your calf muscles.
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Age & Gender: Vein elasticity naturally declines over time. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, birth control, or menopause also relax vein walls.
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History of Blood Clots (DVT / Phlebitis): Previous deep vein thrombosis can permanently scar and destroy delicate vein valves.
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Elevated Abdominal Pressure: Carrying excess body weight increases downward pressure on the pelvic and leg veins.
How We Diagnose & Treat CVI at VeinCentre
At VeinCentre, Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon Dr. Luis Figueroa provides structured, expert medical care to restore venous function and eliminate high-pressure reflux:
Step 1: Diagnostic Requisition & Ultrasound Interpretation
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Accredited Imaging Requisition: We arrange and requisition an in-depth Lower Extremity Venous Duplex Ultrasound through accredited diagnostic imaging centers across Ontario (or evaluate prior imaging you already have).
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Surgical Mapping: Our specialists will interpret the study to identify the exact malfunctioning valves in the Great or Small Saphenous veins.
Step 2: Modern In-Clinic Treatments
We prioritize advanced, non-surgical techniques that require no general anesthesia, no hospital stays, and minimal downtime:
VenaSeal™ Medical Adhesive Closure:
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The gold-standard non-thermal treatment.
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Delivers a tiny amount of medical adhesive to gently seal the refluxing saphenous vein shut.
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Benefits: No tumescent anesthesia injections, minimal bruising, and no strict requirement for prolonged post-procedure compression stockings.
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Targeted microfoam injected directly into tortuous tributary veins and branch varicose veins.
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Collapses malfunctioning vessels, allowing your body to reroute blood through healthy deep veins.
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Customized prescription for graduated compression therapy to support daily circulation during work and travel.
OHIP Coverage & Financial Transparency
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Vascular Surgeon Consultation: 100% Covered by OHIP with a valid referral from a family physician, walk-in clinic, or Nurse Practitioner.
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Diagnostic Duplex Ultrasound (Community Lab): 100% Covered by OHIP at accredited imaging centers.
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Specialist Ultrasound Review & Treatment Planning: 100% Covered by OHIP as part of your surgical consultation.
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In-Clinic Non-Thermal Treatments (e.g., VenaSeal™): The specialist consultation and medical assessment remain OHIP-covered. The closure device kits and clinic disposables are paid out-of-pocket or reimbursed through private extended health insurance (Third-Party / HSA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency dangerous?
While early CVI is not immediately life-threatening, it is a progressive condition. If left untreated, chronic venous pooling can cause permanent skin darkening, painful lipodermatosclerosis, recurring superficial phlebitis, and non-healing venous leg ulcers.
Can CVI be cured with exercise and diet?
Exercise (especially walking) and weight management are vital for stimulating the calf muscle pump and reducing symptom severity. However, once vein valves are stretched and damaged, they cannot repair themselves. Definitive treatment requires sealing or collapsing the refluxing vein.
What is the recovery time after VenaSeal™ treatment at VeinCentre?
Because VenaSeal™ does not rely on thermal heat energy or multiple needle sticks for anesthesia, recovery is virtually immediate. Most patients return to work, walking, and normal daily routines the very same day.
Contact Us
Book your FREE OHIP-covered vein consultation today
