Vein Care - Minimally Invasive Procedures For Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

 Vein Care Center treats varicose veins and spider veins in a clinic setting, providing minimally invasive procedures that can be done with local anesthesia. The procedures are quick, and patients are able to walk out of the office, go back to work, return to their lives, and exercise the same day. Patients say they are thrilled with the results and feel better about their appearance after having the procedure.

Varicose veins are caused when the walls of a blood vessel weaken, causing it to stretch and bulge out. The valves that keep blood flowing in one direction through the vein don’t function properly anymore, and sluggish blood backs up or pools in the veins. It can lead to swelling, redness and itching of the skin and may cause ulcers. It can also lead to a blood clot that is serious and requires medical treatment.

The most common symptoms are aching, itching, and burning in the legs. Some people also have a feeling of heavy legs, especially after standing for long periods of time. Some people have varicose veins but don’t have any symptoms. In some cases, doctors can see the weakened veins on a physical exam or an ultrasound test.

Doctors treat varicose veins with a variety of methods, depending on the size and severity of the veins and whether or not they are causing complications. Some methods involve a vascular specialist inserting a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein and using energy, either from radiofrequency waves or lasers, to destroy the wall of the vein. This is called endovenous ablation and is a preferred treatment for larger varicose veins.

Another method involves a health care provider injecting liquid chemicals directly into a varicose vein, which causes the lining of the vein to swell up and seal shut. This is called sclerotherapy and can be done in a doctor’s office with ultrasound guidance. The injections can leave marks, a brownish coloration of the skin called pigmentation, or bruising. In some rare cases, foam sclerotherapy can cause a clot in a large vein (deep vein thrombosis), which is dangerous and requires hospitalization.

There are other treatments that don’t use heat. One method uses a medical adhesive, like VenaSeal, to seal the affected vein. This method is good for smaller varicose veins or for those who are unable to have endovenous ablation or open surgery because of a medical condition or pregnancy.

Some other conservative treatments include compression stockings, exercise and a healthy diet. Avoiding high salt intake helps manage water retention that can contribute to swollen legs. Wearing low-heeled shoes works calf muscles more and can help with blood flow. Managing weight can also help because extra pounds put pressure on the veins in the leg. Talk to your health care provider to find the best approach for you. A health care provider does a physical exam and asks questions about your symptoms, family history of varicose veins and other conditions. They may also do an imaging test, such as a duplex ultrasound evaluation, which uses sound waves to assess blood flow in your veins.