Frequently Asked Questions

Heredity is the leading cause of varicose veins and this condition will often affect multiple family members. Other factors include certain life events such as pregnancies, trauma to the legs from accidents or surgery, and jobs that require long periods of standing or sitting.

In most cases, insurance companies consider varicose veins and the related symptoms to be a medical problem whose treatment is eligible for coverage.  After your exam and consultation, we will submit the necessary paperwork to your insurance carrier to obtain coverage for your procedures.  We strive to eliminate cost as a barrier to treatment and are committed to helping you understand your insurance benefits and discussing your financial responsibilities and options with you before you start treatment.

In addition to pain and the impact on quality of life, varicose and spider veins do not get better on their own. In fact they get worse over time.

If varicose veins are left untreated there is a risk of darkening of the skin, chronic swelling and difficult to treat wounds called venous stasis ulcers. Ignored, it may also lead to a condition called stasis dermatitis that often causes a red rash on the legs and the skin may become shiny, hairless and develop brownish discolored areas.

Spider veins are rarely a serious health problem, but they can produce uncomfortable feelings in the legs.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem. Varicose veins affect half of people 50 years and older.

If you have unsightly rope-like bulges that can be seen on the skin, with symptoms that include pain, aching, cramping, itching, burning, swelling, heaviness, tiredness, fatigue and restlessness in the legs, then you should seek treatment. Many times these symptoms will be worse at the end of the day or after periods of prolonged standing. These symptoms may decrease mobility and impact activities of daily living including the ability to exercise or even play with children or grandchildren.

A vein care specialist can evaluate your symptoms to determine your course of treatment. If you are suffering from a decrease in mobility and your daily activities are limited by your veins, you should see a vein care specialist.

A Duplex Doppler Ultrasound exam evaluates the veins inside the leg and is the only way to accurately diagnosis venous reflux. The results of these ultrasound exams are combined with information from a thorough physical exam and medical history to give the physician a complete picture of the venous system as a whole.

The results of these ultrasound exams are combined with the information from a thorough physical exam and medical history to give the physician a complete picture of the venous system as a whole and the patient a clear understanding of their condition. This allows a treatment plan tailored to the unique needs of each patient. Ultrasound is also used throughout the treatment process to assess the success of each procedure and the patient’s response to treatment.

Sclerotherapy involves using a very small needle to inject a medication called sclerosant directly into the vein. For larger veins that are below the surface of the leg, the physician will use ultrasound to visualize the veins to be treated and guide injections. Smaller veins on the very surface of the leg will be treated by the nurse or physician without the use of ultrasound. The sclerosant causes the lining of the vein to swell until the vessel is sealed shut. These collapsed veins will then be dissolved and reabsorbed by the body.

After sclerotherapy, collapsed veins will then be dissolved and reabsorbed by the body. Patients will usually have some bruising for about a week after treatment and some minor aching in the treated leg for 24-48 hours after treatment.  With Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) treatment,  there may be some minor discomfort, tightness or pressure in the leg during the procedure which seals veins shut with lasers.

All treatment is done in the office with local anesthetic and produces minimum discomfort for the patient. Because treatments are minimally invasive, patients are able to drive, return to work and resume most of their normal activities the same day as or the day after treatment.

Yes, this is the first step to tailoring a treatment plan that is right for you. During your initial visit the affected areas will be examined to determine if a Doppler Duplex Ultrasound Scan will be necessary. Once the appropriate treatments have been determined, we will review the costs and other relevant details with you to ensure you are fully informed.

The second step in finding the right treatment for damaged veins is finding the source of the problem. A Doppler Duplex Ultrasound Scan provides a visual window, revealing the diseased, refluxing veins beneath the skin’s surface. With this diagnostic capability we can pinpoint the exact cause of varicose veins and customize a treatment plan for each individual patient and each damaged vein. Because the problem is dealt with at its source, the treatments are quicker, more effective and less painful than traditional methods, such as vein stripping.