If you frequently experience a dull ache, a feeling of 'heaviness,' or persistent throbbing in your legs, you're experiencing a highly common symptom. While often dismissed as simple fatigue or a normal part of aging, these are the primary warning signs of a serious, yet treatable, medical condition: Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).
At The Vein Center at Johns Creek, conveniently located in Suwanee, GA, Dr. William H. Johnson, M.D., a Board-Certified, Duke-trained General Surgeon, specializes in diagnosing the root cause of this discomfort. Our focus is on providing definitive, minimally invasive solutions that restore healthy circulation and give you back your active life.
The Root Cause: Venous Reflux and Pooled Blood
The veins in your legs are responsible for fighting gravity to push blood back up to your heart. They rely on one-way valves to prevent backflow. When these valves weaken or fail—a condition called venous reflux—blood pools in the lower legs. This pooling leads to high pressure in the veins, causing the classic symptoms you feel:
- Aching and Throbbing: The constant pressure irritates surrounding tissues and nerve endings.
- Heaviness: The increased volume of pooled blood creates a heavy, dragging sensation that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing.
- Night Cramps and Restless Legs: Poor circulation and tissue waste build-up often lead to severe muscle cramps or restless legs, frequently disrupting sleep.
These symptoms consistently worsen after long periods of sitting or standing and typically feel better only when you elevate your legs.
The Suwanee Solution: Definitive, Expert Treatment
Since leg pain and heaviness are symptoms of a medical problem, they require a professional diagnosis from a Board-Certified Surgeon—not just rest. Dr. William H. Johnson utilizes advanced, painless Duplex Ultrasound imaging at our Suwanee, GA clinic to precisely map your veins and identify the exact source of the valve failure.
Once the source is found, Dr. Johnson offers state-of-the-art, in-office treatments that permanently close the faulty vein, relieving the pressure and redirecting blood flow to healthy veins. Procedures like Endovenous Ablation (RFA/Laser), VenaSeal™ Medical Adhesive, or Varithena™ Microfoam are highly effective, require little to no downtime, and are generally covered by insurance when deemed medically necessary for CVI.
Stop wondering if your leg pain is serious. Schedule a consultation with Dr. William H. Johnson at the Vein Center at Johns Creek (Suwanee) and take the first step toward lighter, healthier legs.
Vein Health Q&A
Q: Are heavy legs and night cramps always caused by vein problems?
A: Not always, but the heavy, aching feeling that worsens throughout the day and the cramping/restlessness that strikes at night are highly classic symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). Dr. William H. Johnson performs a comprehensive ultrasound at the Vein Center at Johns Creek (Suwanee) to definitively rule out or confirm a vein issue.
Q: Is varicose vein treatment painful and what is the recovery time?
A: Modern vein treatments performed by the Board-Certified surgeon Dr. Johnson are virtually painless, require only local anesthetic, and are completed in under an hour. Since they are minimally invasive, most patients walk out of the office and can resume normal activities immediately, with little to no downtime.
