Leg pain or tenderness isn't normal. Venous insufficiency, a common cause, involves veins stretching over time, leading to valve failure. This failure enables venous blood to flow down the leg due to gravity, causing high pressures and chronic venous hypertension. This pressure results in stretching vein walls, potentially causing pain. Over time, an inflammatory condition develops around the veins, leading to discomfort and tenderness in the leg's soft tissues.
Leg pain or tenderness may stem from clotting (thrombosis) in the veins. Superficial thrombophlebitis involves clotting and inflammation in skin and fatty tissue veins, while deep vein thrombosis pertains to clotting of veins in muscles within the leg. Neglected venous thrombosis can worsen, leading to increased pain, valve damage, or clot migration to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Frequently, individuals experiencing leg soft tissue pain or tenderness face misdiagnosis, especially without prominent varicose veins. Venous ultrasound exams, often limited to clot detection, may overlook testing for venous insufficiency. Relying solely on a "normal" report from thrombus-focused testing can lead to the oversight of venous insufficiency diagnosis.
For those experiencing lower extremity soft tissue pain or tenderness, obtaining a thorough diagnostic venous color duplex ultrasound exam, inclusive of venous insufficiency testing, is crucial. Optimal results are achieved in specialized centers dedicated to evaluating venous diseases.
Contact our office at 615.716.VEIN to schedule an appointment today.
