AboutLauri Ordway Expertise I can answer your questions related to peripheral vacular disorders. This includes all arteries and veins except those inside the head and inside the heart. IE: neck (carotid), arms (carotid subclavian bypases to Thoracic Outlet) belly (aortic aneurysm & occlusive disorders, renal artery stenosis), legs (iliac, femoral, popliteal, peroneal, dorasalis pedis, posterior and anterior tibial) arteries. Aneurysm & occlusive disease, atherosclerosis, leg pain, arterial wounds and gangrene, amputation prevention. Vein disorders: Blood Clots (DVT), post-phlebetic syndrome, varicose veins, venous stasis ulcers. I can help with vascular wound treatments. Also, Raynauds, Buerger`s disease, Thoracic Outlet and other miscellaneous vascular disorders.
I CANNOT answer questions about your heart disease, blood pressure, brain aneurysm, although I can help with questions about the arteries that go to and from those organs.
Experience I am a nurse, I have worked for 14 years with two terrific peripheral vascular surgeons, one of them is also the inventor of very innovative wound care products and surgical instruments to make vascular surgery procedures better and faster. I wrote and manage our clinic website and field questions from patients all over the world.
Expert: Lauri Ordway Date: 6/3/2008 Subject: DVT in left thigh (Femoral vein)
Question Was diagnosed via Doppler 4 months ago after ankle surgery and severe swelling of calf and foot. Currently on warfarin and INI is average 3.0. Just had another doppler and clot still there. Went to vascular surgeon with the results and he says the vein has essentially collapsed. He used another term but I asked if thats what he meant and he said yes. He said definitely not to have surgery or for anyone to tell me otherwise...that I would only increase my problems. I have thrombophlebitis. My foot from the ankle down is swollen, varocose veins all over, bluish /redish and feels hot etc. When I wake in the morning it is not like that...it looks like my good foot, but shortly after getting up it begins to change color, swell and get the pseudo numbish feeling. It is not getting any better. It seems to be stabilized or worsening. He said "it is what it is" in other words I'm screwed I guess. Told me to to continue warfarin for 2 more months (6 total) then 2 full strength aspirins one in
morning and one at night. Also wear the compression hose and use lots of lotion and have another doppler in 1 year.
Is that it? I have no hope other than that? I'm being put out to pasture? Thanks for any advise/hope you can give me!
Don
Answer ASK DOC ABOUT ADDING A COMPRESSION PUMP, this machine has a sleeeve like a blood pressure cuff but it fits over the whole leg. then 2-3 times a day, you pump the blood & fluids out of the leg. it is a life long problem and you'd wear sox (40-50mm pressure) and use a pump if you were our patient.
Most insurance companies do ot cover pumps for vein problems, just for something called "lymphedema" but you can get them online I have gotten several off ebay for 300-500$ (1200-1400 retail)
IF you use a pump, don't do it on your own, make sure that you are taught how to use it properly, and the first few times do it in clinic where they can onitor your bloodpressure,pulse etc as it really mobilizes a lot of fluids.
do a google or your favorite search for lympnedema or jobst compression pump to read more about it. there are several companies that make them, jobst, huntleigh are a couple.
good luck, lauri
