What are varicose veins? Are they serious?
Varicose veins are a symptom of “venous insufficiency,” a condition
where veins are dilated or enlarged due to pooling blood when they
do not circulate the blood back to the heart properly. Most commonly
found in the legs, these veins can dilate so much that they become
visible like budging, knotty ropes along your leg. They are not life-
threatening although if not treated, they may lead to ulcer formation
or spontaneous hemorrhaging (bleeding). More often, they look worse than they
feel. They almost always are “the tip of the iceberg" and represent a sign of more
serious venous insufficiency, also called varicose veins disease. If your parents have
them, chances are you’ll have them too.
How can I tell if I have venous insufficiency?
In our office, we offer a free screening to see if your complaints sound like a vein problem. If so, then we
order an ultrasound evaluation which is performed in our office. The ultrasound exam is noninvasive and
gives us a detailed description of how your veins function in your legs. Based on the results of your
ultrasound, we can discuss what treatment options might be best for you.
I don't have bulging veins but my legs hurt and are swollen, especially at the end of
the day. Is this a vein problem?
The majority of patients have symptoms of venous insufficiency without having visible
varicose veins. These symptoms include leg fatigue, achiness, heaviness, pain, itchiness and
frequently, nighttime cramps. These symptoms can affect one or both legs and seem to be
worse at the end of the day. They may feel better if you walk around a little or "put your feet
up".
Is PAD the same thing as venous insufficiency or varicose vein disease?
No. Venous insufficiency is when your veins cannot return the blood from your legs to your heart. (It pools
in your legs and makes them sore, fatigued, crampy, etc.). Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a problem
with arteries (not veins) that are narrowed or clogged and thus cannot deliver enough blood to your
extremities. PAD is more common in people who may have diabetes or elevated cholesterol or who smoke
cigarettes.
Is diagnosis and treatment covered by insurance?
The venous ultrasound is covered by insurance, though you are responsible for your normal co-pays. If a
procedure is required for treatment, those costs are also generally covered by your insurance carrier. As long
as you are having symptoms, the ultrasound and procedures will be covered by insurance. The only costs
that are not covered by insurance are for cosmetic treatments. Cosmetic procedures are offered to people
who are concerned about the appearance of their legs but have no symptoms. If your legs cause you
problems (achiness, swelling, pain, leg fatigue, heaviness or night cramps), then insurance companies cover
the cost for most treatments.
I don't want to have any procedures. Is there an alternative treatment?
If we think you have venous insufficiency, our first line of treatment is called "conservative
therapy". This includes elevating your feet, increasing your walking, using analgesics like
ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain and, most importantly, wearing prescription compression
stockings. (Over-the-counter stockings, borrowed stockings or even stockings you may have
received in the hospital are not sufficient.) You must be properly measured and fitted for
these higher compression hose. In fact, almost all insurance companies mandate that you try
conservative treatment for three months prior to having a procedure.
Describe the treatments you provide in your office.
If you have venous insufficiency and conservative measures don't seem to help,
there are several office-based procedures that can be used alone or in combination
to effectively treat your problem. Endovascular laser ablation is an office-based
alternative to the in-patient hospital-required "vein stripping" surgery of years ago.
Endovascular laser ablation is performed in the office while you are awake and
usually takes less than one hour to complete. You then walk out of the office and
resume normal activity "within reason" during the next few days. People generally
resume all activities within one week. One important guideline to recovery is to
"keep moving".
Other procedures like sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy or superficial skin laser are also safely performed in
the office and have a quick recovery.
Are there risks with any of these procedures?
Like any procedure, there are always risks. The chance that you will have a complication with any of these
procedures is very rare. The most serious complication is formation of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which
occurs less than 1% of the time following the laser procedure. The risk of infection or other serious
complications is near zero. We schedule follow up appointments to make sure you are recovering as
expected.
What if my legs don't hurt, I just don't like the way they look?
There are many near painless procedures that we can do in our office to
improve your appearance. We can easily treat small spider veins on your nose
or cheeks with a superficial laser. We can also use this technique along with
sclerotherapy to treat spider veins on your legs.
How soon after undergoing a laser vein procedure
will I be able to walk my own dog and not have to
hire a dog walker?
Normal walking is encouraged every day. Immediately after a laser procedure,
strenuous activity should be avoided for one week. The dog will have to power walk,
jog and/or run without you for one week; after that time period of one week, there
are no restrictions and you will be able to keep up with your dog and enjoy an active
life together.
Was your question answered?
Please click below to send us an email!
where veins are dilated or enlarged due to pooling blood when they
do not circulate the blood back to the heart properly. Most commonly
found in the legs, these veins can dilate so much that they become
visible like budging, knotty ropes along your leg. They are not life-
threatening although if not treated, they may lead to ulcer formation
or spontaneous hemorrhaging (bleeding). More often, they look worse than they
feel. They almost always are “the tip of the iceberg" and represent a sign of more
serious venous insufficiency, also called varicose veins disease. If your parents have
them, chances are you’ll have them too.
How can I tell if I have venous insufficiency?
In our office, we offer a free screening to see if your complaints sound like a vein problem. If so, then we
order an ultrasound evaluation which is performed in our office. The ultrasound exam is noninvasive and
gives us a detailed description of how your veins function in your legs. Based on the results of your
ultrasound, we can discuss what treatment options might be best for you.
I don't have bulging veins but my legs hurt and are swollen, especially at the end of
the day. Is this a vein problem?
The majority of patients have symptoms of venous insufficiency without having visible
varicose veins. These symptoms include leg fatigue, achiness, heaviness, pain, itchiness and
frequently, nighttime cramps. These symptoms can affect one or both legs and seem to be
worse at the end of the day. They may feel better if you walk around a little or "put your feet
up".
Is PAD the same thing as venous insufficiency or varicose vein disease?
No. Venous insufficiency is when your veins cannot return the blood from your legs to your heart. (It pools
in your legs and makes them sore, fatigued, crampy, etc.). Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a problem
with arteries (not veins) that are narrowed or clogged and thus cannot deliver enough blood to your
extremities. PAD is more common in people who may have diabetes or elevated cholesterol or who smoke
cigarettes.
Is diagnosis and treatment covered by insurance?
The venous ultrasound is covered by insurance, though you are responsible for your normal co-pays. If a
procedure is required for treatment, those costs are also generally covered by your insurance carrier. As long
as you are having symptoms, the ultrasound and procedures will be covered by insurance. The only costs
that are not covered by insurance are for cosmetic treatments. Cosmetic procedures are offered to people
who are concerned about the appearance of their legs but have no symptoms. If your legs cause you
problems (achiness, swelling, pain, leg fatigue, heaviness or night cramps), then insurance companies cover
the cost for most treatments.
I don't want to have any procedures. Is there an alternative treatment?
If we think you have venous insufficiency, our first line of treatment is called "conservative
therapy". This includes elevating your feet, increasing your walking, using analgesics like
ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain and, most importantly, wearing prescription compression
stockings. (Over-the-counter stockings, borrowed stockings or even stockings you may have
received in the hospital are not sufficient.) You must be properly measured and fitted for
these higher compression hose. In fact, almost all insurance companies mandate that you try
conservative treatment for three months prior to having a procedure.
Describe the treatments you provide in your office.
If you have venous insufficiency and conservative measures don't seem to help,
there are several office-based procedures that can be used alone or in combination
to effectively treat your problem. Endovascular laser ablation is an office-based
alternative to the in-patient hospital-required "vein stripping" surgery of years ago.
Endovascular laser ablation is performed in the office while you are awake and
usually takes less than one hour to complete. You then walk out of the office and
resume normal activity "within reason" during the next few days. People generally
resume all activities within one week. One important guideline to recovery is to
"keep moving".
Other procedures like sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy or superficial skin laser are also safely performed in
the office and have a quick recovery.
Are there risks with any of these procedures?
Like any procedure, there are always risks. The chance that you will have a complication with any of these
procedures is very rare. The most serious complication is formation of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which
occurs less than 1% of the time following the laser procedure. The risk of infection or other serious
complications is near zero. We schedule follow up appointments to make sure you are recovering as
expected.
What if my legs don't hurt, I just don't like the way they look?
There are many near painless procedures that we can do in our office to
improve your appearance. We can easily treat small spider veins on your nose
or cheeks with a superficial laser. We can also use this technique along with
sclerotherapy to treat spider veins on your legs.
How soon after undergoing a laser vein procedure
will I be able to walk my own dog and not have to
hire a dog walker?
Normal walking is encouraged every day. Immediately after a laser procedure,
strenuous activity should be avoided for one week. The dog will have to power walk,
jog and/or run without you for one week; after that time period of one week, there
are no restrictions and you will be able to keep up with your dog and enjoy an active
life together.
Was your question answered?
Please click below to send us an email!