Everything About Chronic Venous Insufficiency Stages

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the veins in the legs are unable to pump blood back to the heart effectively. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and complications. Based on clinical manifestations and progression of the disease the severity of Chronic Venous Insufficiency stages can be classified. The clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathological (CEAP) classification system is commonly used for chronic venous insufficiency stages. Here are the stages:

Treatment For Chronic Venous Insufficiency Stages

C0 – No Visible or Palpable Signs: Patients have no visible signs of venous disease. Symptoms, if present, may include aching, heaviness, or discomfort in the legs.

C1 – Telangiectasias or Reticular Veins: Telangiectasias, also known as spider veins or thread veins, may be visible on the skin if a person has one of the Chronic Venous Insufficiency stages. Reticular veins are dilated blue or green veins beneath the surface of the skin.

C2 – Varicose Veins: Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that are visible on the skin surface. Patients may experience aching, throbbing, or cramping in the legs.

C3 – Edema: Swelling of the legs or ankles due to fluid accumulation. Edema is often worse at the end of the day and may improve with leg elevation.

C4 – Changes in Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue: Skin changes such as pigmentation, eczema, or lipodermatosclerosis (skin hardening). These changes result from chronic inflammation and venous hypertension.

C5 – Healed Venous Ulcer: A history of healed venous ulcer(s). Evidence of healed ulcers but with persistent skin changes.

C6 – Active Venous Ulcer: The presence of an open venous ulcer on the lower leg, near the ankle, and can be painful and difficult to heal in any of the stages of chronic venous insufficiency.

Treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency stages

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Stages

The treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) Stages varies depending on the condition. Here are general treatment approaches for each stage:

C0 – No Visible or Palpable Signs:

  • Lifestyle modifications: Encourage regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting.

C1 – Telangiectasias or Reticular Veins:

  • Compression stockings: Graduated compression stockings can help improve venous circulation and reduce symptoms.
  • Sclerotherapy: Injection of a solution into small varicose veins to close them.

C2 – Varicose Veins:

  • Compression therapy: Graduated compression stockings are commonly recommended to alleviate symptoms and prevent disease progression.
  • Sclerotherapy or endovenous laser treatment: These procedures can be used to treat larger varicose veins.

C3 – Edema:

  • Compression therapy: Higher compression levels may be recommended to manage  Edema. 
  • Elevation: Elevating the legs above heart level when resting can help reduce swelling.
  • Diuretics: In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help manage fluid retention.

C4 – Changes in Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue:

  • Compression therapy: Continued use of compression stockings to manage symptoms.
  • Topical treatments: Emollients and moisturizers to address skin changes.
  • Wound care: For any open sores or ulcers.

C5 – Healed Venous Ulcer:

  • Compression therapy: To prevent recurrence and manage residual symptoms.
  • Regular follow-up: Monitoring for any signs of recurrence of the stages of chronic venous insufficiency.

C6 – Active Venous Ulcer:

  • Compression therapy: Essential for wound healing and preventing recurrence.

Wound care: Regular dressing changes and other wound care measures.

At Karishma Veins, doctors have experience in dealing with cases which need to be treated with invasive procedures, such as endovenous thermal ablation or surgical intervention for advanced stages of chronic venous insufficiency or when conservative measures are insufficient. The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the severity of symptoms, the presence of complications, and the patient’s overall health. If you suspect you have chronic venous insufficiency or are experiencing symptoms, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and tailored treatment plan.

Consult To Know The Chronic venous insufficiency stages and Treatments

It is the most important aspect kept in mind at Karishma Veins that treatment plans should be individualized, and patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate interventions. Lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, weight management, and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing, are generally beneficial for all of the chronic venous insufficiency stages.

Early detection and appropriate management are essential to prevent complications and improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic venous insufficiency. If you suspect you have CVI or are experiencing symptoms, contact our team and book an appointment today!