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Lymphedema and Venous Insufficiency

Lymphedema is a condition where patients experience fluid retention and swelling in their extremities, most commonly in the lower legs.

While lymphedema has many different causes, venous insufficiency is among the most common. Our expert team is dedicated to the treatment and management of chronic venous insufficiency and related problems, including lymphedema. Learn more below.

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Our New York Locations

As an actively expanding organization, CVR has assembled the most qualified and experienced team of physicians, researchers, and staff to serve patients across our 70+ vein center locations.

Bronx-Grand Concourse

1749 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10453

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Bronx/Pelham Bay

3250 Westchester Avenue
Suite 201
Bronx, NY 10461

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Scarsdale

700 White Plains Road
Suite 241
Scarsdale, NY 10583

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Norwalk

40 Cross Street
Suite 320
Norwalk, CT 06851

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Stamford

1290 Summer Street
Suite 2100
Stamford, CT 06905

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What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a condition where patients experience fluid retention and swelling in their extremities, most commonly in the lower legs. Specifically, this retained fluid is a substance known as lymph, a mostly clear fluid that carries white blood cells, proteins, and other materials throughout the body.

Because the lymphatic system is responsible for balancing fluid volume, lymphedema is most often caused by dysfunction within the lymphatic system itself. However, it can also be the result of issues in other parts of the body, such as the cardiovascular system (more on that relationship later). Likewise, lymphedema may be an inherited lifelong condition or develop later on due to damage or disease. In the US, acquired lymphedema is most commonly caused by cancer treatment that removes lymph nodes or otherwise damages the lymphatic system.

Lymphedema is typically a progressive issue, meaning that swelling gradually gets worse over time without proper treatment or control. Severe lymphedema can significantly impact a person’s health and general quality of life. Additionally, lymphedema can also be a symptom of other life-threatening conditions.

What is venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is the root cause of various medical and cosmetic problems, including varicose veins and some types of acquired lymphedema. Venous insufficiency occurs when our cardiovascular systems cannot effectively transport blood from our limbs back to the heart. This is often the result of blockage within the veins, as in the case of blood clots. When that happens, blood can pool in the extremities, increasing pressure within the veins. This in turn results in a variety of problems, including greater blood vessel permeability.

Venous insufficiency

Is there a relationship between lymphedema and venous insufficiency?

While lymphedema has many different causes, venous insufficiency is among the most common in the US. With chronic venous insufficiency, increased pressure and dilated veins causes an overflow of fluid into the lymphatic system. While the lymphatic system normally returns this fluid to the blood stream, an increase in outflow can overwhelm it. Additionally, when left untreated, venous insufficiency can worsen lymphedema and vice versa. This interconnectedness between the two conditions is an important thing to keep in mind when designing a treatment plan. It’s also vital to identify and treat any underlying conditions that may be causing either issue.

Chronic venous insufficiency and lymphedema are conditions not often treated by primary care providers and are instead best handled by phlebology specialists. That’s why the Center for Vein Restoration offers a wide range of treatments for lymphedema and venous insufficiency, along with various other related issues.

Venous insufficiency 2
Doctor inspecting legs

Don't Worry,
You're Not Alone

40 Million
Americans
have venous insufficiency, yet only 1.9 million seek vein treatment each year.
41%
of Women
Will suffer from venous insufficiency by age 50.
42%
of Men
Have some form of venous insufficiency by age 60.

Complimentary Physician Visits

This is the perfect opportunity to meet our physicians, as well as their teams of vein care specialists, to answer your questions about spider vein treatment, varicose vein treatment and other vein treatment options.

Meet our Physicians

All of us at Center for Vein Restoration would like to thank you for choosing our team to meet your healthcare needs. It is our privilege to see you and we wish to reassure you that our expert team of physicians and support staff will do all they can to make sure you have the best experience possible! To learn more about our physicians, please click here.

Board Certifications:
American Board of Radiology
Medical Schools:
New York University (New York, NY), Internship at Beth Israel Medical Center (New York, NY), Residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center (New York, NY)
Professional Associations:
Former Director of Interventional Radiology, Albany Memorial Hospital, Former Director of Interventional Radiology, North Shore Medical Center
“My decision to focus on venous insufficiency was based upon my desire to be able to interact and care for patients on a longitudinal basis”
Board Certifications:
American Board of Surgery
Medical Schools:
Universidad Iberoamericana, Internship at Stony Brook University Medical Center (SUNY) (Stony Brook, NY), Fellowship at St. Francis Hospital (Hartford, CT)
Professional Associations:
American College Of Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Nassau County New York Medical Society, Hartford Connecticut Medical Society
“I chose to become a venous surgeon to treat this often overlooked and underestimated disorder. I am extremely grateful for the privilege”

Our Patients Come First

– John L.

Grand Concourse

“The staff was very warm and friendly. The doctors were very informative and knowledgeable. The process was very quick and easy and painless. I would recommend this facility to anyone!”

– John L.

Grand Concourse