Swollen Ankles

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'State of the Art' Treatments of Leg Veins Effective, Safe, and Painless

Swollen Ankles:

Ankle swelling is often caused by vein problems. If the patient has no heart (congestive heart failure), liver (cirrohsis) and/or kidney (renal insufficiency) problems to explain swollen ankles, the patient should have the ultrasound exam to look for failed vein valves. Veins and capillaries under pressure from failed valves above them leak fluid all day long. After the veins are fixed, diuretic medication can often be stopped and the patient can spend the day on his or her feet and travel without swollen ankles!

The systems of veins are like upside-down trees. The valves in the 'trunk' act as scaffolds, little platforms that hold up the weight of the column of blood above when you are upright. When these valves fail (genetics, age, standing occupation, pregnancy, injury), all the vessels below are under pressure...holding up the column of blood. The 'branches' of this upside-down tree dilate and become varicose veins inside (9 of 10) the leg and sometimes on the surface of the leg causing aching, tired and painful legs. The 'twigs' of this upside-down tree are the capillaries. These are fragile vessels and they are not designed for this increased venous pressure. On the surface of the leg they can dilate to form spider veins and purple discoloration at the ankles and inside arch of the foot. Inside the leg, these 'twigs', capillaries, leak fluid, protein and blood cells all day while you are upright. This causes

swollen ankles (edema), sickened skin (red/brown discoloration, itching, burning, scaling and even ulceration) and, at night as this fluid returns, patients often have cramps/'Charley Horses'). In our office, we fix this condition by gently closing the malfunctioning 'trunk' with laser.....the blood goes naturally through the 'perforators' and other alternate pathways to the deep system, improving its flow and lessening the chance of deep clots, and the surface is relieved of this pressure....varicosities shrink (pain relief) and the capillaries stop leaking fluid (relief of swelling, skin conditions and cramps).

St. Petersburg
(Isla del Sol)
(727) 865-6941
5901 Sun Boulevard, Suite #113A
St. Petersburg, FL 33715

Largo
(Brian Dairy)
(727) 865-6941
7241 Bryan Dairy Road
Largo, FL 33777

Sun City Center
(Upper Creek Drive)
813-634-1333
4040 Upper Creek Drive, Suite #105
Sun City Center, FL 33573

Toll free 888-875-6941

Daniel J. Mountcastle, MD, FAAEM, Director
Board Certified
Ohio State University College of Medicine,
Class of 1974
Specialty Practice for Leg Veins,
Member of American College of Phlebology