About Curtis J. Edwards, MD, FACS Expertise Semi-retired, general and vascular surgery questions, veins arteries and questions related to the thorax. Seventeen years practice experience. I ran the non-invasive vascular lab at a major teaching hospital prior to attending medical school. While in private practice treated diseases of the peripheral veins and arteries including venous injection and ablation procedures, and arterial bypass grafting, and endarterectomy.
Experience Seventeen years private practice, general, peripheral vascular, non-cardiac thoracic surgery (semi-retired). Aviation medicine.
Organizations College of Surgeons, AMA, Aerospace Medical Assoc.
Education/Credentials BA,MD, American Board of Surgery, Fellow American College of Surgeons, Senior FAA Aerospace Medical Examiner
Expert: Curtis J. Edwards, MD, FACS Date: 2/25/2008 Subject: DVT & PE 17 years ago
Question I am a 40 year old female. While undergoing radiation treatments for Hodgkin disease in 1990, I became dehydrated and developed a DVT in my right leg. While in the hospital I had a PE which they dissolved with meds. I have always had swelling and pain in that leg. I was on blood thinners for a while and heparin during both my pregnancies, but now I'm not on any medication. Unfortunately, I'm an accountant so my job forces me to be seated most of the time. I always have a box under my desk to elevate my leg. But, in the past month I'm having more trouble than usual...it's tax season and I'm sitting up to 12 hrs/day. The swelling is worse and the burning/pain is worse. I'm even wearing my circulatory stockings again (not sure if that's the right term). I've always thought that my trouble was due to scar tissue or something in the vein where the DVT was. I wonder if there some type of treatment or procedure I could undergo that would help this never-ending problem.
Answer You should see a vascular surgeon for a consult. Your condition may represent chronic venous insufficiency requiring a thorough work-up. A new prescription for support hose may be necessary. In the mean time, the treatment of choice is elevation of the legs (above heart level) for a period of an hour every two to three that you work. Venous valve transplantation, while an operation that can be performed for severe venous insufficiency, has a poor overall success rate.
