“I had suffered with leg swelling and discomfort off and on for 10 or 15 years before I discovered there was something that could be done about the problem,” says Hansen, 66. “The turning point was when I had a knee replacement last year, and because of the leg swelling problem I was having trouble in physical therapy and getting up and down stairs. My doctor said I should have the problem looked at by a specialist.”
As it turned out, Hansen was suffering from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where the leg veins become damaged, causing blood to gather in the legs, resulting in swelling, heaviness, and discomfort.
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“With a 15-minute procedure called venous ablation, we sealed off the defective veins in her legs as one phase of treatment,” says Elliot Sambol, MD, a board certified vascular surgeon on the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “To properly treat venous insufficiency, we approach care from all angles, including working toward prevention of future problems.”
Treatment includes working to diagnose the root cause of the condition; guidance in self-care, including the use of properly fitted compression socks, proper diet, exercise, and skin care; surgical intervention when needed; and specialized therapy services through the hospital’s lymphedema program, which focuses on treating swelling caused by fluid backup in the body.
“In therapy, a certified lymphedema therapist focuses on decongestive massage and exercise to improve the blood flow, relieve swelling, and improve mobility,” says Kelly Gray, PT, a physical therapist and Rehabilitation Manager at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center Princeton Rehabilitation. “By following an intensive program, we can get people back to feeling comfortable and living their lives more quickly.”
While she is continuing treatment to address some smaller vein conditions, Hansen can attest to the fact that her care has made a considerable difference in her life.
“It has made a phenomenal difference in my knee replacement recovery,” she says. “I am so thankful that I pursued treatment.”
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