Chronic venous insufficiency and postphlebitic syndrome

[Couch Potatoe]

Chronic venous insufficiency is damage to leg veins that prevents blood from flowing normally. Postphlebitic syndrome is chronic venous insufficiency that results from a blood clot in the veins.

Chronic venous insufficiency may cause leg discomfort, swelling, and skin rash, discoloration, and/or ulcers.
Postphlebitic syndrome is chronic venous insufficiency that resulted from a blood clot in the veins (deep vein thrombosis).
Doctors use duplex ultrasonography for diagnosis.
Keeping the leg elevated, wearing compression stockings, and carefully treating any wounds are necessary for treatment.

(See also Overview of the Venous System.)
About 5% of people in the United States have chronic venous insufficiency. Postphlebitic syndrome may develop in 20 to 50% of people with deep vein thrombosis, usually within 1 to 2 years.