What Causes Dark Purple Protruding Veins On Ankles?

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014

Question: Hello. I have a similar condition as mentioned below; dark purple & nearly protruding veins on the inside back of my ankles. Mostly on right foot and a series of three raised purple areas near a larger one. It's now been there for approximately the past 4 years. I'm also having calf and achilles issues. A month ago I pulled my right calf...badly and had difficulty walking for nearly two weeks, swelling & bruising or blood pooling in the lower arch to ankle areas. On Monday during an exercise class, I pulled my left calf, but not as bad. My achilles are usually sore to the touch for a couple years now; the left leg more than the right. I'm 56, male, fairly active and workout 2-3x week. I'm 6'3" and weigh 200 and considered in good overall health. Do I have a disease of some sort? I seem to get injured too easily.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mostly Varicose veins

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

I have gone through the entire history and you are having varicose veins as is evident from the pic that you have sent plus I can see the ulcerations for the same reason , they look like venous ulcers . Your other problem pain in ankles could be due to achillis tendinitis but both these conditions are unrelated.

You need to see a vascular surgeon for this purpose as severity needs to be assessed for determining the treatment for varicose veins . Rest try to lose weight and keep your legs elevated while you sleep.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (4 hours later)

Thank you. However, is there some reason why my calves are so hard & tight? I don't need to lose weight and look more like a healthy 30 year old. Pulling or straining both calves within a month indicates to me that that area from the calves to the achilles to the varicose veins is subject to something other than just random injury. Could it be blood flow problem or some type of muscular disease?

Thank you............ XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

It could be venous problem also but metabolic disease also needs to be ruled out specially thyroid disorders which can cause hypertrophy of calves . I would advise to get a USG doppler of lower legs along with S . TSH , Calcium levels , Vitamin D levels done for the same to see if any metabolic disorder is going on.

Dr. Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D