Not Just Varicose Veins: May-Thurner & Post-Thrombotic Syndrome Can Be the Hidden Cause

At LA Wound Care, we don’t ignore leg ulcers. Dr. Massoudi believes all non-healing wounds are urgent — and we act accordingly. If a patient has swelling, discoloration, or open sores that aren’t healing, we don’t just treat the surface. We investigate deeper causes like May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) and Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) — serious conditions that often look like varicose veins but require advanced vascular care.

When “Varicose Veins” Are a Warning Sign

Many patients come to us thinking they just have “bad veins” or cosmetic issues. But when symptoms include:

• ✔ One-sided leg swelling
• ✔ Skin darkening (hyperpigmentation or lipodermatosclerosis)
• ✔ Pain after standing
• ✔ Open ulcers near the ankle
• ✔ A history of blood clots

…it’s time to rule out deeper venous disease.

What Is May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS)?

MTS happens when the left iliac vein is compressed by the right iliac artery, leading to poor drainage from the left leg. This creates pressure, pain, and sometimes ulcers. Standard vein treatments won’t fix this — it requires deep vein imaging and often stenting.

What Is Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS)?

PTS is a long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Even after a clot resolves, the vein valves can be damaged, leading to chronic swelling, skin changes, and ulcers — which can be mistaken for varicose veins.

Why CTV (CT Venography) Is the Key

Standard vein ultrasound can miss what’s really going on — especially deep in the pelvis or abdomen. At LA Wound Care, we use CTV to see what others miss:

• ✔ Left iliac vein compression (May-Thurner)
• ✔ Deep vein blockages and scars from old DVTs
• ✔ Hidden reflux and venous hypertension
• ✔ Collateral circulation and outflow problems

This imaging guides our plan — so treatment works the first time.

Dr. Massoudi’s Message

“Non-healing wounds are never routine. They are always a sign of something deeper. We don’t wait and see — we diagnose and treat.”
— Dr. Ramtin Massoudi, Medical Director, LA Wound Care

What We Do

At LA Wound Care, we specialize in:

• ✔ Advanced wound care for venous ulcers
• ✔ CTV and IVUS-guided diagnosis
• ✔ Deep vein stenting for May-Thurner
• ✔ Long-term management of PTS
• ✔ Superficial vein ablation when needed
• ✔ Rapid access — because every ulcer is urgent

Bottom Line

If your legs are swollen, your skin is darkening, or your ulcers keep coming back, it’s not just “bad veins.” It could be May-Thurner or Post-Thrombotic Syndrome — and it needs urgent attention.

LA Wound Care is here to help. Call us at 310-855-7171 today or visit LAWound.com.