How vein valves repair themselves

Abnormal venous valves are an important cause of varicose veins. The cause of venous valve dysfunction is related to congenital weak blood vessels. In addition, the venous closure valves will relax with age, which may lead to the occurrence of this situation. At this time, certain methods can be used for treatment, such as wearing medical varicose vein compression stockings. Moderate walking and exercise can help relieve the symptoms.

What causes venous valve dysfunction?

1. Congenital deficiency or weakness;

2. Ageing causes the vein walls and valves to relax;

3. Long-term increased venous pressure: including obesity, pregnancy, heavy physical labor, congenital or acquired iliac vein stenosis/occlusion;

4. After deep vein thrombosis, inflammatory substances and scar hyperplasia destroy the structure of venous valves.

Superficial venous valvular insufficiency

Valvular insufficiency occurs in the superficial veins of the lower extremities and can lead to varicose veins. It often occurs first in the saphenous-femoral vein valve (in the groin), because this valve is located at the highest position, has a superficial anatomical position and lacks muscle protection, so it is most likely to be affected and cause varicose veins of the great saphenous vein. In a small number of people, valve failure occurs at the saphenous-popliteal junction (popliteal fossa), causing varicose veins of the small saphenous vein. It is easy to know the location of the lesion using ultrasound positioning (however, many ultrasound reports do not mention the situation of the saphenopopliteal junction, so doctors may easily miss the diagnosis or treatment).

Long-term varicose veins can lead to nutritional changes in the calf skin, such as skin pigmentation and ulcer formation. Ultrasound analysis shows that such cases often have varying degrees of valvular insufficiency in multiple segments, including the communicating veins.

Deep venous valvular insufficiency

Deep venous valvular insufficiency includes primary and secondary. The pathogenesis is complex and will not be discussed in detail in this article.

One point worth mentioning is that early deep vein valve insufficiency can be treated by targeting the problematic superficial veins (greater saphenous vein surgery, small saphenous vein surgery or endoscopic perforator interruption), but some patients will still develop refractory ulcers.

Deep vein valve repair can only be considered if deep vein obstruction (iliac vein stenosis or occlusion and thrombosis) is excluded and deep vein valvular disease is indeed present and is expected to be repairable. This type of surgery is costly, has many complications, and the effect cannot be guaranteed. It has not yet been widely accepted and recognized internationally. We hope that with the development of medicine, more effective treatment methods with fewer complications will emerge.