Three Treatments for Chronic Leg Pain That Don't Involve Surgery

Lots of issues can cause leg pain, including a day of heavy, strenuous activity. Typically, this type of pain is associated with overworked muscles, and it clears up after some rest. 

But sometimes, leg pain persists, flaring up after exercise and making even simple activities uncomfortable. This type of chronic or recurrent pain is often associated not with muscular issues, but with vascular problems affecting the flow of blood in your veins or arteries.

Many people with blood vessel problems in their legs also experience symptoms like heaviness, tingling, or cramps. While anyone can have vascular-related leg pain, it’s more common among people who:

• Are overweight or obese
• Spend a lot of time standing
• Spend a lot of time sitting
• Lead sedentary lives
• Smoke
• Have underlying medical problems, like hypertension or high cholesterol
• Have a family history of blood vessel problems

Many people with chronic leg pain also have varicose veins, which can cause discomfort and itching.

At Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions, Dr. Allison Burkett helps patients in Warner Robins, Georgia, get the care they need for their chronic leg pain. Here are three treatments that relieve pain without invasive surgery.

Angioplasty and stenting

Angioplasty and stenting is used when leg pain is due to artery problems, like peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD happens when sticky plaques collect along the walls of the arteries, interfering with normal blood flow.

In this treatment, Dr. Burkett uses a small incision to insert a thin tube into the damaged artery. The tube delivers a tiny surgical balloon to the blockage site.

Once the balloon is in place, Dr. Burkett inflates the balloon, compressing the plaques against the artery walls. Next, she inserts a tiny stent that acts as a supportive scaffolding to keep the artery open.

VenaSeal™ Closure System

For vein-related problems like chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Dr. Burkett frequently recommends VenaSeal. Like the other procedures on our list, this treatment begins with a careful mapping of the damaged vessel.

Next, Dr. Burkett injects a special medical adhesive into the damaged vein. The adhesive causes the walls of the vein to stick together, closing the vein to blood flow and preventing painful symptoms. Blood is “automatically” rerouted to neighboring veins, maintaining normal circulation in the area.

ClosureFast™ Procedure

ClosureFast is also used for vein-related leg pain. In this treatment, Dr. Burkett makes a small incision and inserts a tiny, flexible tube called a catheter. 

The catheter delivers specific “doses” of radiofrequency energy to the vein. The energy creates areas of “controlled damage” to the vein, causing it to seal off. As with VenaSeal, blood reroutes to other nearby veins.

For smaller veins, Dr. Burkett often recommends sclerotherapy, a time-tested treatment that uses injections of chemicals to irritate vessel linings, causing them to close off. After any of these treatments, you’ll probably need to wear a pressure garment or use compression socks temporarily to aid in healing.

Find relief for chronic leg pain

Chronic leg pain can interfere with lots of your regular activities, including work, socializing, and even rest. To learn what’s causing your discomfort — and how we can help treat it — call 478-779-1920 or book an appointment online at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions today.