Gender: Female Age: 56
History: A physical therapist works full time standing for extended periods of time in her practice. Her lower extremity symptoms of aching leg pain, swelling, cramping, and restlessness had bothered her for at least 16 years before coming to Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic for evaluation and treatment.
Occupation: Mother and homemaker
Symptoms: Her veins started bothering her in relation to pregnancy. Her father suffered a pulmonary embolism, and a sister had a deep vein thrombosis. Two of her sisters tested positive for a hypercoagulable condition (susceptible to blood clots). The patient’s symptoms had become progressively more bothersome over time, and were starting to limit her activities of daily living, and having an adverse affect on her quality of life.
Treatment: Her initial ultrasound findings prompted recommendation for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of the left Greater Saphenous Vein (GSV), and Microphlebectomy in the left lower leg. She subsequently required three sessions of Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy in the left leg. She later started to develop worsening symptoms in the right leg, and a repeat ultrasound identified more severe venous insufficiency in the right lower extremity, and it was recommended that she have RFA of the right GSV, SSV, and Accessory Saphenous Vein (ASV).
Care Recommendations: Prophylactic anticoagulation for 1 week post procedure to protect against blood clots (due to her family history). Following successful procedures her symptoms were alleviated, we recommended that she walk daily, wear compression stockings when standing for extended periods of time, engage in moderate exercise, and follow up in 6 months to a year for ultrasound and evaluation.
