Donald Trump’s leg disease highlights risks for UAE workers

Dubai: For many workers in the UAE who spend long hours on their feet, whether riders delivering packages, managing retail floors, or chefs standing in kitchens, leg pain and swelling are often dismissed as a normal part of the job. But doctors say these symptoms could be hiding something far more serious: chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) – a vascular condition that has made global headlines after US President Donald Trump was reported to have it.

Described by vascular specialists as an “invisible burden,” CVI is a progressive vascular condition that occurs when veins in the legs fail to circulate blood effectively back to the heart. Blood begins to pool in the lower limbs, increasing venous pressure and leading to pain, skin changes, and in advanced cases, ulceration. For many workers who must push through discomfort to earn a living, the consequences can be devastating.

“People think it’s just tiredness or age. But we see patients in their 30s and 40s, many of them on their feet all day, who are suffering from serious complications,” says Dr Moatasiem Bukhari, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi. “Unfortunately, this condition creeps up slowly. By the time most people seek help, it has progressed significantly.”
Dr Bukhari has treated patients from all walks of life suffering from CVI.

One such case involves a young man employed in delivery services in Abu Dhabi. Spending hours walking and standing under the sun, he began experiencing swelling in his legs, accompanied by cramps and pain, especially at night. At first, he chalked it up to the nature of his work. But over time, his skin began to change colour, and painful ulcers formed near his ankles.

“He was in a lot of pain by the time he came in,” the doctor explained. “We diagnosed him with chronic venous hypertension, a severe form of CVI, where pressure in the veins becomes so high that it causes tissue damage.” 

The patient was advised to reduce standing hours and elevate his legs when resting. However, since he had to continue working, lifestyle changes were difficult.
“So, we focused on management, compression stockings during work, regular ulcer care, and close follow-up.”

Despite the challenges, the patient is showing signs of healing. But the condition remains painful, and there is no quick fix without a change in his routine.

CVI doesn’t always present as a medical emergency. In its early stages, patients may feel heaviness in the legs, notice swelling by the end of the day, or experience an occasional itch or burning sensation. The skin might gradually darken or thicken. Many attribute these symptoms to exhaustion, poor posture, or dehydration.

Diagnosis, however, is simple. A venous duplex ultrasound can identify valve failure and measure blood flow, confirming the presence and severity of venous reflux.
According to Dr Bukhari, the condition becomes much harder to treat if left unaddressed. “Once ulcers form, healing takes months. And if the patient can’t rest or elevate the leg, it gets worse.”

Management of CVI is tailored to the individual. For younger patients and those with superficial vein involvement, laser ablation or other minimally invasive procedures can provide significant relief. For older patients or those with comorbidities, conservative treatment such as compression therapy and lifestyle adjustments is preferred.

Persistent leg swelling, especially when accompanied by nighttime cramps or heaviness, should not be ignored. If the skin begins to darken, itch, or thicken, it may indicate progressive venous damage. The appearance of open sores or ulcers suggests that the condition has reached an advanced stage.