Varicose Veins

Veins that have become bulging, elongated, thickened and rope-like are called varicose veins. Normally, one-way valves in veins keep blood flowing against the force of gravity. When the valves do not perform their function, blood can flow backwards or reflux within the vein. They usually occur near the surface of the skin and appear as bulging veins with a purplish hue.

Varicose veins can develop through a combination of these faulty vein valves and weakened vein walls. Under a variety of circumstances, normally toned, elastic vein walls can become weak and allow the recirculating blood to flow backward in the vein causing the blood to pool and the vein to bulge.

1. Complimentary Consultation
The first step to treatment is offering you the opportunity to visit our office, and to meet the specialist who will be treating you. During the consultation, we will discuss your symptoms and determine if you have spider or varicose veins. Often times, most of our patients have a combination of both.

2. Ultrasound Diagnosis
If you have varicose veins, an ultrasound will be performed by your vein specialist. After the ultrasound, the best treatment options will be recommended to you for your unique case.

3. Vein Treatment
Treatment is scheduled following your ultrasound. Each of the varicose vein procedures are minimally invasive and allows for zero downtime. If you have health insurance, we will handle all of the insurance claims for you.

4. Follow-up Visits
You will see your vein specialist for a follow-up visit after your treatment for an ultrasound to ensure closure of the treated vein. When the vein has closed, those veins are gone for good.

Our specialists are specifically trained in ultrasound imaging, and these skills are combined to accurately diagnose and treat varicosities. Patients should be aware that since an ultrasound is required not only for the initial diagnosis of varicose veins, it is also an integral part of the procedures that eliminate them.

It is important to visit a vein specialist who relies on their own training and experience to accurately determine the underlying cause of symptoms, find the abnormal veins, and treat them with familiarity and expertise. An ultrasound technologist does not have this training, or skillset.

Symptoms include aching, throbbing, fatigue, itching, tingling and heaviness – all of which worsen as the day goes on. Sometimes, strange sensations such as water dripping or “bug crawling” can be felt as the varicose veins close to the skin can stimulate the nerves.

Mild swelling in the ankles and feet may also occur. Many people find that they need to sit down in the afternoon and elevate their legs to relieve symptoms.

People who have venous insufficiency can have symptoms even without visible varicose veins.

Using an ultrasound, the vein specialist maps out the veins in your leg to pinpoint the faulty vein that needs to be treated. To treat this faulty vein, a very small probe is inserted using an ultrasound to follow and guide it to the proper position. He will then remove the probe, sealing the vein using one of the various treatment methods available.

The reflux of blood in faulty veins result in what is known as venous insufficiency, a very common condition that results in the pooling of blood in the vein and, in turn, creates varicose veins.