“It Wasn’t Just a Sore, It Was My Veins” – Robert’s Story

Robert Knighten of Clinton, Louisiana, has always loved life – riding horses, motorcycles, and staying active. But after surgery to remove a bone spur in his leg, something didn’t feel right.  

Robert first noticed a sore from the surgery that wouldn’t heal, followed by ongoing pain in the same leg. “I thought it was just a sore,” Robert said. “But my leg started hurting really bad. I couldn’t sleep for months. I love having fun, but I was in too much pain. I knew I needed help.”

That’s when Robert met Dr. Charles Thompson, Interventional Cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Zachary. 

“Robert came to me with the classic symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency,” Dr. Thompson explained. “He had skin changes, swelling, heaviness in the legs that worsened at night, and restless legs. His veins in his legs weren’t working properly, so instead of blood flowing upward, gravity pulled it back down, creating pressure that damaged the skin and caused severe pain.” 

For Robert, the diagnosis finally made sense. He underwent a series of vein procedures on his left leg. “Right then, the pain was gone,” Robert recalled after the first procedure. “That same night, I slept like a baby for the first time in months. Since then, I haven’t had any pain.”

Dr. Thompson also detected venous insufficiency in Robert’s right leg, where early discoloration was beginning to appear. Unlike the left, this leg hadn’t caused as much trouble; yet it still required treatment.

Now Robert is back to doing what he loves most – having fun and living life without limits, pain free. “Dr. Thompson healed me and put me on the right track, and I’ve been going ever since.”

Robert’s message to others is simple: “If you’re hurting and don’t know why, go see your cardiologist. For me, it wasn’t just a sore that wouldn’t heal, it was my veins. I’m thankful I got the help I needed.”

Click here to learn more about chronic venous insufficiency.