Patients suspected of venous disease typically complain of pain that is:

Patients suspected of venous disease often report pain that is relieved by elevation. This is primarily due to the mechanics of venous return, where elevating the legs allows for better blood flow back to the heart and reduces the pressure in the veins of the legs. In venous disease, blood may pool in the lower extremities due to issues such as valve incompetence, which can lead to discomfort and pain. Elevation helps to counteract these symptoms by promoting drainage and decreasing swelling.

When the legs are elevated, the hydrostatic pressure in the lower extremities decreases, alleviating the sensation of heaviness and discomfort that is common in venous disorders. This symptom relief by elevation is a significant characteristic that differentiates venous pain from other types of pain, such as arterial insufficiency, where pain often worsens with elevation due to reduced blood flow. Understanding this relationship is crucial in the assessment and management of suspected venous disease.