At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we often see patients who have been told that their symptoms are unrelated to vein health—only to discover that treating their veins brings remarkable relief.

One memorable case involved a 43-year-old white female with a history of idiopathic neuropathy (nerve pain) in her feet. “Idiopathic” simply means doctors hadn’t found a cause. She was prescribed Neurontin® (gabapentin) by her previous physicians, but despite months of use, her pain remained unchanged.

The Impact on Her Life

This patient was an active woman who loved walking for exercise and relaxation. But over time, the burning and discomfort in her feet became so intense that she could barely make it a single block before having to stop.

She came to our office wondering if there was anything else that could be done.

Our Approach: Looking Beyond the Obvious

Instead of focusing solely on her nerves, we took a whole-circulatory approach and evaluated her venous system. Many patients don’t realize that vein disease in the legs can sometimes contribute to nerve-like symptoms—especially when poor circulation and high venous pressures are involved.

Vein Evaluation Findings

Through a comprehensive duplex ultrasound and visual examination, we found:

• Bilateral great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux – faulty valves in both legs causing blood to pool
• Extensive reticular veins – medium-sized blue-green veins under the skin
• Significant spider veins – superficial clusters of tiny veins, which can also signal underlying venous hypertension

This combination of venous problems was likely increasing pressure in her lower legs and feet, contributing to inflammation, poor oxygen delivery, and nerve irritation.

Treatment Plan

We developed a stepwise treatment approach to address her venous issues and improve circulation to her feet.

1. Bilateral Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
   • Performed under local anesthesia
   • Uses laser energy to seal the faulty GSV in each leg, eliminating reflux and reducing venous pressure
2. Extensive Sclerotherapy
   • Injections to close reticular and spider veins
   • Improves local circulation and reduces the “venous load” in the lower legs

By treating both the large refluxing veins and the smaller visible veins, we aimed to normalize blood flow from the skin level all the way to the deeper venous system.

The Results

Within 4 Weeks

To her surprise, just a month after starting treatment, her neuropathy symptoms began to improve. The burning and aching in her feet were noticeably less intense, and she could walk farther without stopping.

At 3 Months

At her scheduled follow-up, she had big news: she had gone on a trail hike—and for the first time in years, she had no pain at all during or after the walk.

Her quality of life had dramatically improved. She could once again enjoy the activities she loved, without constant discomfort holding her back.

Why Treating Vein Disease Can Help Neuropathy Symptoms

While neuropathy has many causes (including diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and nerve injury), venous insufficiency can sometimes mimic or worsen nerve symptoms in the legs and feet.

When vein valves fail, blood pools in the legs, increasing venous pressure. This leads to:

• Tissue swelling
• Inflammation
• Reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and nerves

Over time, this can irritate peripheral nerves, creating symptoms that feel like neuropathy—burning, tingling, aching, or heaviness. By restoring healthy circulation, we remove one of the key aggravators of nerve pain.

The Takeaway for Patients

If you’ve been diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy—especially if it’s in your lower legs or feet—it’s worth having a vein evaluation. Even if you don’t have large, bulging varicose veins, underlying reflux or widespread smaller vein disease could be contributing to your symptoms.

Treatments like EVLT and sclerotherapy are:

• Minimally invasive
• Performed in-office under local anesthesia
• Require little downtime
• Highly effective in improving circulation and reducing pain

Our Commitment at Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine)

We believe in listening to patients and exploring all possible causes for their discomfort. Sometimes the missing piece isn’t more medication—it’s better blood flow.

By combining advanced diagnostic tools with targeted vein treatments, we help patients not only feel better but also regain the activities and independence they thought were gone for good.

📍 Serving St. Louis, Sunset Hills, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and surrounding Missouri communities

📞 Call 314-842-1441 or request your vein consultation online to find out if your leg or foot pain could be linked to underlying vein issues.

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• Vein Treatments
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