Center for Leg Health & Vein Care (January 1, 2025)
Since April 2024, we have established the Leg Care and Venous Center, allowing us to provide information in a clearer and more accessible way to a broader audience. We have also seen an increase in patients visiting us through internet referrals. One notable trend in 2024 is the rising number of elderly patients suffering from venous ulcers and leg swelling caused by inactivity. Additionally, our multilingual website has enabled patients who speak languages other than Japanese to access our services.
At our center, we do not focus solely on the number of surgeries for varicose veins but take a comprehensive approach to address various leg-related concerns.
Leg Care at Gifu Heart Center
Our approach to leg care emphasizes:
1. Diagnosing leg diseases
2. Identifying or ruling out hidden heart conditions to ensure peace of mind
We recognize that the causes of leg issues are diverse, often stemming from conditions outside the legs, such as heart or kidney diseases. In some cases, patients who come to us with leg complaints are ultimately found to have underlying heart issues. Rather than rushing to surgery for visible varicose veins, we consider the patient’s lifestyle and environment to discuss the most appropriate treatment plan.
After diagnosing the underlying cause, our cardiovascular team provides a wide range of treatments, including catheter-based interventions, surgical procedures, and treatments for varicose veins.
Challenges in Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Patients with chronic venous insufficiency often visit us with the hope of regaining their health. While surgery can reduce swelling and fatigue, making the legs feel lighter and healthier, the root causes often lie in lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, prolonged standing or sitting, or obesity. Without addressing these issues, symptoms may persist, and recurrence can occur even if venous reflux is resolved.
Multidisciplinary Foot Care
Our outpatient foot care team, consisting of foot care specialists, nurses qualified in compression therapy, and nurse practitioners, collaborates with physicians to provide:
• Guidance on proper walking techniques
• Compression therapy for leg deformities and swelling using elastic stockings, bandages, or drainage
• Support to improve and maintain walking function
We also coordinate with our in-house foot care team, including cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation staff, and dietitians, to deliver holistic care.
For conditions requiring dermatology, orthopedics, neurology, or other specialties, we refer patients to affiliated expert institutions.
Our goal is to assist patients in improving their lifestyle and achieving truly healthy legs and bodies.
Director, Leg Care and Venous Center
Shinji Tomita
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Table of Contents
1. Background of Establishment
2. Outpatient Examination Methods
3. Chronic Venous Insufficiency
4. Treatment for Lower Limb Varicose Veins
5. Treatment for Functional Venous Insufficiency
6. Treatment for Venous Ulcers
7. Gifu Heart Center Foot Care Program
8. Achievements (Clinical, Research)
10. Physician Recruitment Information
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