STANDING ON THE JOB would wake him up at night and he ’ d have to take ibuprofen and stretch his legs .
Eventually , he began to see skin changes on both of his shins . His legs itched and continued to ache , but his dermatologist didn ’ t recognize it as a venous issue . She gave him a topical steroidal cream , but the skin changes gradually worsened
At the height of his leg distress , Dr . Enns started working at a vein care clinic and began to understand the misconceptions he had about varicose veins , including the erroneous belief that vein treatment is only cosmetic . As he learned more and listened to patients , he realized his leg issues might all stem from venous insufficiency .
Dr . Enns has now had his own practice for four years , the Central Arkansas Vein Center in Little Rock . He has worn compression every day for years and recently underwent Endovasulcar Radio Frequency therapy .
“ Because I had the problem myself , I know what patients are going through and can offer problem solving measures that I know will make their legs feel better ,” he said .
He admits that “ physicians and pharmacists are the worst patients because they think they already know everything ,” but because the field of phlebology ( vein health and treatment ) is relatively new , many healthcare professionals don ’ t have the latest knowledge to diagnose and treat vein care .
Dr . Enns ’ s approach to physician education is to focus on skin changes and leg sensation . He encourages his primary care colleagues to refer patients to him if there is any skin discoloration , psoriasis or rash below the knees , or any leg swelling , itching , discomfort , or restlessness in the legs .
Like his own experience of being prescribed steroidal cream for his apparent leg rash , Dr . Enns ’ s knows that you can treat the symptom without treating the cause . If patients complain of leg achiness or fatigue but don ’ t present with visible symptoms , Dr . Enns will look for other clues . One of the first things he looks for is whether patients are taking a diuretic for swelling in the ankles or medication for restless legs . Medications for neuropathy may also be an indication of undiagnosed venous problems .
Dr . Enns ’ s number one suggestion for people on their legs all day is to wear a good , trusted brand of graduation compression stocking . After years of
"... because the field of phlebology ( vein health and treatment ) is relatively new , many healthcare professionals don ’ t have the latest knowledge to diagnose and treat vein care ."
28 Pedorthic Footcare Association www . pedorthics . org