Varicose Vein Treatment: Cosmetic Results and Procedures that Eliminate the Cause

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.

Varicose veins are large, distended and sometimes twisted veins that may develop on one or both legs. When the valves in the veins become incompetent and do not close completely,  blood flows backwards towards the feet.  Restricted venous drainage increases the blood pressure in the surface veins of the leg. Over time, this the veins stretch, producing varicose veins which may lead to more serious venous disease.

Three major risk factors for the development of varicose veins are age, occupation and pregnancy.

• Age: with increased age, elastic walls of the veins deteriorate and become more susceptible to overstretching.
• Occupations: many occupations that require standing or sitting for prolonged periods produces venous stasis and varicose vein formation. Sales personnel, nurses, mechanics, waitresses and those who sit at a desk all day are most at risk.
• Pregnancy: during later pregnancy, a greatly expanded blood volume and increased lower abdominal pressure reduces venous drainage and favors the development of varicose veins. Although these generally subside after delivery, women who have varicose veins during pregnancy are more apt to redevelop them later in life.

Patients with varicose veins seek treatment for a variety of reasons – sometimes they are motivated by aesthetic concerns and often they wish to relieve symptoms that compromise their quality of life. When varicose veins produce swelling and pain and/or interfere with sleeping, walking and participating in normal activities, treatment is recommended. Varicose vein treatment is suggested as a preventative measure when the varicose vein disease is associated with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These patients have an increased susceptibility to form more life threatening clots and develop serious venous disease such as chronic venous insufficiency and stasis leg ulcers. Those who are bothered by the unsightly appearance of their spider and varicose veins, should be evaluated and treated for venous disease prior to undergoing any aesthetic procedure.

Procedures to diagnose and treat vein disease are generally covered by insurance. When it is determined that varicose veins are related to venous disease, the diagnostic evaluation and vein treatment surgical procedure is often covered by Medicare and private insurance. Procedures for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons are solely the patient’s  financial responsibility. Our front office will gladly assist you in the insurance reimbursement process when that option is available.

Vein stripping is an obsolete and invasive procedure for treating prominent varicose veins and associated chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) related to incompetence of the Greater Saphenous Vein. Vein stripping involves removal of the Greater Saphenous Vein on the inside of the thigh and lower leg. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia in the hospital. It is associated with a long, painful recovery and bruising that can take months to resolve. Vein stripping is associated with a high incidence of recurring varicose veins.

State-of-the-art and minimally invasive procedures at VSA for treating incompetence of the Greater Saphenous Vein offer a much better solution. In an office procedure with the patient awake and comfortable, a procedure called Saphenous Laser Ablation achieves the same result though a single needle stick. Patients have minimal complaints following this varicose vein surgery and resume normal activities within a few days.

At VSA, Great and Small Saphenous Vein Laser Ablation is a highly effective, safe, quick, virtually painless and easy treatment for varicose veins from pathology in these systems. Through a single needle stick after local anesthesia, a small diameter laser filament connected to a laser system is used to close off the Greater Saphenous vein from the inside. Unlike invasive vein stripping, there is very little trauma and minimal if any bruising. Patients recover quickly, walking the same day and resuming most activities within 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, radiofrequency energy is directed through a thin tube (catheter) inserted through a small incision in the vein. It can be used on large veins in the leg and can be done in an office setting using local anesthesia.

The actual removal of large varicose veins is accomplished through Microphlebectomy at VSA. Through this European technique, prominent varicose veins are removed through tiny needle punctures and virtually leave no scars. Microphlebectomy is quick and relatively painless, producing better results than through traditional treatments. Sclerotherapy is also used for smaller varicose vein removal when indicated.