Innovative Vascular Health Group

Varicose veins are swollen veins that you can see through your skin. They often look blue, bulging, and twisted. Left untreated, varicose veins may worsen over time. Large varicose veins can cause aching and feelings of fatigue as well as skin changes like rashes, redness, and sores.

There are three kinds of veins in our body (supperficial veins, perforating veins, and deep veins). Generally, the superficial veins connect to the deep veins directly or though the perforating veins. Although we normally treat superficial vein disease, any of the veins can cause problems requiring treatment.

Veins return the oxygen poor blood back to the heart for recirculation. To achieve this, most veins in the body have valves which prevents blood from flowing in the opposite direction. During muscle movement the valves open, thus allowing blood to flow towards the heart. During periods of rest or standing these valves close; thus preventing the blood from flowing back down the vein in to the legs form which it came.

When the valves become stretched or damaged, the normal return of blood to the heart is interrupted and the diseased veins begin to dilate over time.

Spider veins are mild varicose veins. They look like a nest of red or blue lines just under your skin. Spider veins are not a serious medical problem, but they can be a cosmetic concern to some people.

What are the symptoms?

Mild symptoms
- heavy feeling
- tired
- restless
- achness
- night cramps.
Severe symptoms
- skin color change
- open sores
- swelling of the leg
- dermatitis
- deep venous thrombosisi (DVT). This may cause a sudden, severe leg swelling. If present, it is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

What causes varicose veins?

High blood pressure inside your superficial leg veins causes varicose veins. Risk factors that worsen your chances of having varicose veins include:

standing or sitting for too long may worsen your symptoms.
smoking
being overweight
deep venous thrombosis
Pregnancy increases the risk of developing varicose veins, but the veins often return to normal within 1 year after childbirth. Women who have multiple pregnancies may develop permanent varicose veins.

What tests will I need?

A ultrasound of the veins will complement your doctors physical examination and will help to formulate a treatment plan. It will also allow the doctor to determine if the varicose vein is an isolated problem or part of a broader problem.

How are varicose veins treated?

All patients regardless of severity should try leg elevation above the level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. In addition basic compression stockings with varying strengths may help reduce the leg swelling, heavy feeling and leg fatique. For mild disease gentile compression stockings using 12-15 mmHg may be of benefit. For moderate disease higher compressions can be discussed with your doctor.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are elastic stockings that squeeze your veins and stop excess blood from flowing backward. Wearing these stockings daily at the correct pressure will help heal wounds and prevent them from returning.

When these kinds of treatments alone do not relieve your varicose veins, you may require a surgical or minimally invasive treatment, depending upon the extent and severity of the varicose veins. These treatments include sclerotherapy, vein stripping, and laser treatment.

Sclerotherapy

This is a chemical injection designed to chemically irritate and scar your veins from the inside out so your abnormal veins can then no longer fill with blood. Your body will eventually absorb the veins that received the injection.

Most people need a few treatments (2-4 treatments) to obtain the best results. In patients with milder cases, 1-2 will suffice. The treatments are more when there are more veins or slightly larger veins. For patients with multiple spider veins, up to 15-20 injections can be done at each seating. Sclerotherapy treatments are generally done in monthly intervals.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is the insertion of a tiny fiber into the vein with the intent of destroying the lining of the diseased vein. The vein closes and your body eventually absorbs it.

Commonly asked questions

How long does it take? The procedure takes approximately on hour. After the procedure, you can go home with a friend or relative but are not allowed to operate any machinery for 24 hours.
Is the procedure painful? There is mild pain during the procedure which is controlled with the local anesthetic at the skin level.
How quickly after treatment can I return to normal activities? The majority of individuals resume their normal activities in a day. Continued walking and a resumption of normal activities is highly encouraged. For those into sports and heavy lifting, a delay of 2 weeks should be appropriate.
How soon after treatment will my symptoms improve? Most patients report marked improvement in their symptoms within 1-2 weeks following the procedure. The cosmetic appearance usually takes a few more months.
What are side effects of the procedure? Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising, or swelling following the procedure. Most of these disappear in 1-2 weeks.
Are there any potential risks and complications associated with the closure procedure? As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with the procedure. Potential complications include:
1. vessel perforation
2. thrombosis
3. pulmonary embolism
4. phlebitis
5. hematoma
6. infection
7. paresthesia (numbness or tingling)
8. Skin burn.
What happens to the treated vein left behind in the leg? The treated vein collapses and becomes fibrous tissue.
Is it covered by my insurance? If the patient with varicose vein has symptoms, many insurance companies cover the cost of the procedure in part or in full. However, most insurance companies want a trial of stockings and exercise before surgery is undertaken.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a method of removing varicose veins on the surface of the legs. It is done in the office under local anesthesia. This procedure involves making tiny punctures or incisions through which the varicose veins are removed. After treatment, a compression bandage and/or compression stocking are worn. The patient is able to walk following the procedure.

Greater and lesser saphenous vein stripping

Vein stripping involves tying off of the upper end of a problem vein and then removing the vein. Vein stripping is performed in an operating room. This procedure is done under spinal or general anesthesia and is chosen only when an alternative lesser invasive therapy is not appropriate.

How can you reach us?
To speak with a staff member, call between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Phone: (732) 847-3461.