Muscle Cramping
La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center
Cardiovascular Surgeons & Phlebologists located in New Orleans, Covington, LA & Metairie, LA
Muscle cramping, fatigue, and aches in your legs are common signs of venous insufficiency. If leg pain and cramping are keeping you awake at night or disrupting your normal activities, contact Dr. Randall Juleff at La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center in Covington and Metairie, Louisiana, for diagnosis and treatment. Call or book a consultation online today to get to the root of your muscle cramping
Muscle Cramping Q & A
How does venous insufficiency cause leg cramps?
Vascular diseases like venous insufficiency or peripheral arterial disease cause muscle cramping and fatigue in your legs. Your veins send blood back to your heart after it’s traveled through your legs to your feet.
When your veins don’t function properly, your blood sometimes flows backward and get trapped in your veins. This can result in varicose veins and a variety of symptoms, including muscle cramping and swelling.
What is venous insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is a condition where blood doesn’t move through your veins efficiently and gets trapped in your legs instead of traveling back to your heart. It’s often caused by varicose veins or a blood clot that impairs blood flow. Venous insufficiency causes symptoms like:
- Leg cramps
- Numbness
- Restless legs syndrome
- Swelling
- Itching
- Skin discoloration
How can I relieve muscle cramps?
Unlike cramps caused by exercise or strains, massage isn’t an effective form of relief for vein-related leg cramps. One of the best things you can do to relieve muscle cramping due to venous insufficiency is to elevate your legs — try lying on the floor with your buttocks against a wall and your legs extended up the wall.
Physical activity is another great way to relieve these types of cramps. Ultimately, you’ll need expert treatment with Dr. Juleff to correct the underlying condition that’s causing your muscle cramps.
How is venous insufficiency treated?
Dr. Juleff offers radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser therapy to correct venous insufficiency. In both treatments, Dr. Juleff sends a catheter through your veins until it reaches the varicose or clogged vein responsible for your condition. Then, he uses either laser energy or radiofrequency energy to heat and seal the weak vein.
Dr. Juleff may also suggest sclerotherapy to close weak or malfunctioning veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a chemical that causes the vein to close and seal.
You’ll need to wear compression stockings for approximately two weeks following your treatment to encourage efficient circulation. It’s also important to take short and frequent walks during your recovery.
Call or make an appointment online today for diagnosis and treatment of your leg cramps.
*Individual results may vary.