State-of-the-Art Venous Disease Treatment that Sets a New Standard at VSA

An underlying venous problem can lead to more serious problems such as blood clots, bleeding, skin pigmentation and ulcers. Relatively simple procedures can eliminate these conditions before they become catastrophic and life threatening events. Treatments for venous diseases are generally covered by health insurance plans and Medicare.

During your initial visit, all of the following are provided:

• Office consultation with physician
• Ultrasound screening
• Diagnosis and treatment plan

• Comfortable, relaxed environment
• Professional caring staff specializing in state-of-the-art vein treatment
• Awake but comfortable with local anesthesia
• No incisions or sutures (stitches)
• Minimal to no scarring
• All procedures done through a simple needle stick
• Most patients do not require pre-medication and can drive themselves to and from the procedure
• Little downtime – resume walking the same day
• Post operative discomfort managed through OTC pain medicine

Besides people with an obvious vein problem (bulging veins), the following symptoms may be related to underlying venous disease:

• Painful and Tender legs
• Restless legs
• Itchy legs
• Swollen legs
• Strange sensations on the legs
• Leathery skin on the legs
• Skin discoloration on the legs
• Leg ulcers

When your venous screening exam reveals the presence of venous disease, we accept most insurance coverages including Medicare.

Just as no two people are the same, aesthetic spider vein treatment must be individualized for each patient. At VSA, treatments may include laser spider vein procedures, sclerotherapy or a combination. The 940 nm Medipulse laser system for tiny vessels is comfortable and erases spider veins before the patient’s eyes. Sclerotherapy is used for larger spider veins and small varicose veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting an agent into the veins that causes them to collapse. Many times a combination of laser spider vein treatment and sclerotherapy is indicated. The number of sessions required is based on the size, number and composition of treatment areas.

The treatment of varicose veins is accomplished at VSA with two state-of-the-art minimally invasive vascular surgery procedures performed quickly, safely and painlessly in the office. Both procedures are associated with a 96-99% success rate and recovery in just a few days.

Radio Frequency Procedure and Saphenous Laser Ablation

Varicose vein disease is almost always related to pathology in the Great and/or Small Saphenous Vein Systems in the legs. When confirmed through ultrasound diagnostic exam, saphenous laser ablation through a single needle stick is used to close off diseased saphenous veins using a small diameter laser filament connected to a laser system. Unlike invasive and outdated vein stripping, saphenous laser ablation is well tolerated with local anesthesia and associated with very little if any post-operative bruising or trauma. Patients walk out of the office the same day and resume most of their normal activities in just a few days. Radiofrequency ablation is a newer, minimally invasive, treatment for varicose veins. This technique uses radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein. This usually closes off a varicose vein in the leg. To treat a varicose vein, radio frequency energy is directed through a thin tube (catheter) inserted through a small single needle in the vein. It can be used on large veins in the leg and can be done in an office setting using local anesthesia.

Microphlebectomy for Varicose Vein Removal

Actual removal of large varicose veins is accomplished through a European technique called Microphlebectomy. This well tolerated procedure involves removing varicose veins through tiny needle punctures. Microphlebectomy is quick and relatively painless, virtually leaving no scars. It produces far better results than traditional treatments. Sclerotherapy is also used for smaller varicose vein removal when indicated.

Venous insufficiency, also called chronic venous insufficiency or CVI is almost always caused by incompetent valves in the Saphenous and/or Perforator leg vein systems. Varicose vein disease is generally related to problems in the Saphenous system while most venous ulcers of the lower legs are related to incompetent perforator veins in the calf. Patients with advanced venous insufficiency usually have both Saphenous and Perforator vein disease problems.

Through an ultrasound evaluation, we determine the exact pathology in these systems that require correction. Then we use Laser or Radio-Frequency Ablation in which a small diameter filament connected to a heat source is used to close off the diseased vein from the inside. The procedure is performed through a single needle stick after local anesthesia is administered. These simple, quick and relatively painless office ablation procedures are highly effective, safe and well tolerated. Patients are able to resume normal activities within a few days and venous stasis symptoms rapidly resolve. When leg ulcers are present, they completely heal within several months. Following ablation treatment, microphlebectomy and foam sclerotherapy procedures to remove varicose veins can safely be performed.

Venous stasis leg ulcers around the ankle are almost always caused by incompetent perforator veins in the calf. Removing these diseased perforator veins is the key to healing leg ulcers and associated venous insufficiency problems. Through Radio Frequency ablation, a small diameter catheter connected to a heat source is used to close off the diseased perforator vein from the inside.

Patients are quite pleased that with local anesthesia and a single needle stick in a safe, quick and relatively painless procedure, they are permanently cured of a disease that robs them of a quality life. After their procedures, complaints of swelling, leg cramps, restless legs and changes in the skin rapidly diminish and resolve. Unlike traditional vascular surgery associated with a painful and long recovery, patients undergoing Radio Frequency ablation resume normal activities in a few days and experience total healing of their leg ulcer in just a few months. This state-of-the-art minimally invasive vascular surgery cures over 99% of venous leg ulcers with virtually no complications.

When venous stasis and venous insufficiency disorders are diagnosed, the consultation, ultrasound exam and vascular surgery procedures are generally reimbursed by health insurance and Medicare. Procedures performed solely for cosmetic purposes such as spider vein and varicose vein removal, are the patient’s financial responsibility. Our front office will gladly assist you in the insurance reimbursement process when appropriate.

If you have spider veins, varicose veins, a leg ulcer or are bothered by leg swelling, leg cramps, leg aches while walking or standing, or restless legs that interferes with sleep, use our convenient appointment request form below or call us to schedule an appointment. Whether you seek relief of symptoms or an aesthetic solution for unsightly spider veins and varicose veins, your evaluation will give you peace of mind knowing you have access to the best, least invasive and most effective vein treatment available.