Knee pain is a common complaint, often blamed on exercise or injuries. But what if the culprit lies deeper? Venous insufficiency, a condition where blood struggles to return to the heart, can be a surprising cause of persistent knee discomfort. This blog post dives into the connection between venous insufficiency and knee pain, helping you understand if it might be the source of your struggles. We’ll explore what venous insufficiency is, how it impacts your knees, and offer solutions to alleviate the pain.
How Does Venous Insufficiency Cause Knee Pain?
Now that you know what venous insufficiency is, you might be wondering: How exactly does it cause knee pain? People with this condition often have weakened, damaged veins, which cause blood to accumulate (instead of flowing to the heart). As this happens, fluid may start leaking into surrounding tissues. This can cause swelling (or edema), which is most noticeable in areas such as the knees and ankles. Furthermore, the pressure from the pooled blood can cause inflammation and pain around the knee joint.
How Do You Relieve Knee Pain Caused by Venous Insufficiency?
If you’ve ever dealt with knee pain before, you know it isn’t easy. When left unaddressed, pain and swelling can make it difficult to walk, stay active and perform day-to-day activities. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce pain and improve poor leg circulation. Here are a few common treatments:
- Viscosupplementation for Joint Lubrication: Generally used for knee conditions such as osteoarthritis, this innovative treatment has proven to be promising for venous insufficiency. It involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee joint, which enhances lubrication, reduces friction and alleviates pain.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy involves personalized exercise regimes designed to enhance leg circulation and alleviate venous pressure. Over time, these exercises help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve long-term joint stability.
- Supportive Measures: Supportive measures such as knee braces and compression stockings can deliver much-needed pain relief. Knee braces stabilize the knee joint and decrease pressure, while compression stockings reduce swelling by promoting blood flow back to the heart.
- Healthy Lifestyle Habits: For the best results, these measures should be paired with healthy lifestyle changes. Habits such as elevating your legs, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active all reduce symptoms of venous insufficiency.
Sometimes, these treatments are enough to overcome knee pain and venous insufficiency. For more severe cases, however, you may need professional treatment.
What Professional Treatments Are Available for Venous Issues?
Are lifestyle habits and supportive measures not helping your knee pain? Our team at Atlanta Medical Clinic offers non-surgical procedures that address the underlying cause of vein issues. Not only can we treat varicose veins, but we can also reduce knee pain and give you the relief you need. Our advanced vein treatments include the following:
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This procedure involves delivering radiofrequency energy to the vein wall via a catheter. This makes the vein shrink and collapse, allowing healthy veins to take over and redirect blood flow.
- ClariVein OC: Similar to RFA, this treatment involves inserting a catheter into the impacted vein. However, instead of RF energy, it delivers medication. Using a rotating tip, the medicine covers the entire vein and makes it close down, redirecting blood to healthy veins.
- Sclerotherapy: In this procedure, liquid is injected to irritate the lining of the vein. This causes the lining to stick together, making the diseased vein disappear.
Our ultimate goal is to treat pain without relying on medication or invasive surgeries. Unsure which treatment is right for you? Our team can help.
Discover Varicose Vein Treatment in Atlanta Today!
From large, purple veins to uncomfortable pain and swelling, there are many side effects of venous conditions. At Atlanta Medical Clinic, we’re dedicated to treating knee pain through effective, non-surgical solutions. After considering your unique symptoms and health condition, we’ll determine the best treatment for your needs. You can trust us to create a plan that boosts knee health, joint function and overall well-being. Schedule a free consultation with our medical team today!