- Do I have vein disease?
- What are varicose veins?
- What are spider veins?
- What causes varicose and spider veins?
- Are varicose veins dangerous?
- What is the treatment for varicose veins?
- What is endovenous laser treatment?
- What is sclerotherapy?
- What is ultrasound guided sclerotherapy?
- Is sclerotherapy effective for all spider veins?
- How do I know if I am a good candidate for sclerotherapy?
- How long does the procedure take?
- Are there any side effects from the treatment?
- What should I do following the treatment?
- How long will it take for the treated vein to disappear?
- Will my insurance pay for the treatment?
- Can I purchase a gift certificate for treatment for another person?
These are the 8 warning signs of vein disease:
- Tired, heavy-feeling legs.
- Leg pain from prolonged sitting or standing.
- Swollen ankles at the end of the day.
- Varicose or spider veins.
- Tingling, numbness, burning or cramping in legs or feet.
- Discoloration of the skin of the lower legs.
- Open sores or ulcers on lower leg.
- History of vein problems in the family.
If you’ve answered yes to one or more of these questions, please talk to us.
Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged blood vessels in which blood has pooled. They usually are bluish in color, and may appear twisted. They are very common on legs, especially among women. The tendency to develop varicose veins is thought to be linked with heredity and occasionally trauma. Women, especially those who have had children, and men and women who spend a lot of time standing seem to be most susceptible to developing varicose veins.
Most varicose veins are the result of “valve failure” or a “leaking” vein. Perforating veins are between deep, high pressure veins found under the leg muscles and superficial, low pressure veins found outside the leg muscles. When valves become faulty in the perforator vein, blood refluxes (back flows) to the superficial veins resulting in blood pooling causing the veins to become distended and bulging. These are known as “varicose” veins.
Spider veins are small dilated veins that appear as bluish or reddish lines just under the surface of the skin.Not only a cosmetic concern for many but more than half of patients with spider veins can experience aching, tingling and pain in the legs.
What causes varicose and spider veins?
Veins are the blood vessels through which blood flows back to the heart. Blood that flows into the legs must circulate and then return to the heart.The blood needs to flow uphill and against gravity,this is achieved by healthy leg muscles pumping the blood through healthy veins . Valves in the veins normally allow the blood to flow toward the heart, and prevent the backflow of blood. If these valves weaken and cannot perform their job, blood may pool in the legs, causing veins to bulge and dilate. When blood pools in the larger surface veins, the result can be the blue, bulging type of varicose vein. When this happens to the tiny veins just below the skin surface, the result can be spider veins.
Varicose veins are not usually dangerous, and some people have no symptoms. In many people, however, varicose veins are associated with pain, aching, itching, burning, a heavy or tired feeling in the legs, swelling,cramping and sometimes,restless leg syndrome. In rare cases, varicose veins may signify a serious underlying disease of the deeper veins. If this is a possibility, it may be recommended that you undergo further evaluation.
What is the treatment for varicose veins?
Treatment for varicose veins can involve taking steps to relieve the symptoms, or removing or eliminating the troublesome veins. Anyone with varicose veins or with a family history of varicose veins may want to consider wearing elastic support stockings to provide support for the veins and to keep them from dilating abnormally. It is especially important to provide this support when lifting heavy objects. In addition, when possible, the legs should be elevated to keep blood from pooling. Regular exercise, such as walking, will keep the blood moving and will help squeeze blood up from the lower legs. Although these suggestions may lessen symptoms or help prevent new varicose veins from forming, they will not cure varicose veins that have already formed.
Treatment is determined by a non-invasive diagnostic test – ultrasound duplex scan – done at our office by Dr. Uchino. This test provides us with the size and location of the leaking valves/veins which in turn dictates the treatment plan. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (done at our office) is indicated if the size of the leaking valves/veins is small. Endovenous laser treatment (also done at our office) is indicated if the size of the leaking valve/vein is large. EVLT has become the treatment of choice over traditional surgical stripping and ligation. We do continue to offer office based minor surgery i.e. pblebectomy and ligation of perforators if indicated.
What is endovenous laser treatment?
Endovenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive procedure done under local anesthesia at our office. Laser energy is used to ablate (close) the diseased vein caused by faulty valves. This procedure takes about 30-60 minutes and there is little alteration to your activity level after the procedure. Patients may return to work on the same or next day. This has become the first choice, replacing traditional surgical vein stripping.The advantage of EVLT is a less invasive procedure with a lower recurrence rate than surgery.
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that involves injecting a special solution with a tiny needle into the vein. The solution causes the walls of the vein to stick together thereby ablating (closing) the vein. We now use topical anesthetic cream to minimize any discomfort.. Sclerotherapy continues to be the most effective, predictable treatment over laser for spider veins of the legs.
What is ultrasound guided sclerotherapy?
When the leaking (faulty) valve/vein to be treated is located deep in the tissue, an ultrasound scan (live imaging) is used to guide the placement of a tiny needle to the site. This is done at our office and the procedure takes about 5-10 minutes. This treatment method has replaced, in many cases, the need for surgical ligation of small to moderate size leaking veins. There is little to no alteration to your daily activity with this procedure.
Is sclerotherapy effective for all spider veins?
About 20% of spider veins are the result of a leaking vein. Duplex scanning is indicated if this is clinically suspected upon evaluation. If a leaking vein/valve is found it would be treated first by ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and then we would directly inject the spider veins. In general, sclerotherapy alone continues to be the most effective treatment for spider veins of the legs.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for sclerotherapy?
Most people can undergo sclerotherapy safely and easily. Before you undergo the procedure, a history will be taken, and a physical examination will be given. Circulation and vein structure in your legs will be assessed using sophisticated noninvasive diagnostic techniques. The most important of these technologies is ultrasound duplex scanning. Done at our office by Dr. Uchino, we are able to assess the anatomy and function of each vein and determine the best treatment option for your best result. There are a few conditions that would prevent you from being considered for sclerotherapy: pregnancy,bed-ridden or wheelchair bound.
How long does the procedure take?
The initial assessment usually takes about an 30-60 minutes.. In most cases the actual sclerotherapy injections take approximately 15-30 minutes. The length and number of treatments needed to complete the therapy depend, however, on the number and size of veins to be injected. In most cases, treatment can be completed after a few visits to the center.
Are there any side effects from the treatment?
Side effects from sclerotherapy are rare and are almost always mild. Possible side effects may include slight itching, skin discoloration at the injection site, firm area beneath the skin where large veins have been injected, and slightly tender and red skin over the varicose vein. All these side effects tend to clear up spontaneously.
There are a few rare potentially serious complications. These include deep vein thrombosis, a severe allergic reaction to the sclerosing agents and an inadvertent arterial injection. But, as mentioned, they are indeed very rare.
What should I do following the treatment?
When spider veins are treated using sclerotherapy, a support stocking will be worn for the first 24 hours and then only during the day for 1 week. For larger varicose veins, you will be advised to wear a support stocking for the first 72 hours and then during the day for a minimum of 3 weeks while the vein is healing. You will be able to resume your normal work and recreational activities immediately. Walking has been found to speed the healing process.
How long will it take for the treated vein to disappear?
Veins that have been injected will fade gradually as the solution causes them to shrink, harden, and then disappear. The length of time necessary to see results will depend on the size of the vein and the pigmentation of the skin. Large varicose veins may require multiple treatments over the course of a few weeks before the blood flow is curbed, and they may take three or four months before they have completely disappeared.
Will my insurance pay for the treatment?
Insurance companies vary widely on coverage, so it is advisable to check with your company to see if sclerotherapy treatment is covered. Generally, for problematic varicose veins insurance companies will reimburse you for the procedure. We accept Medicare and some insurance policies. For spider veins that are injected strictly for cosmetic reasons, insurance companies usually will not cover the treatment costs.
Can I purchase a gift certificate for treatment for another person?
Yes! We have found it is becoming quite popular to give a “gift certificate” for the cosmetic treatments to loved ones. For many, having their legs treated is a luxury – something they wouldn’t buy for themselves. But to receive it as a gift from a family member or close friend makes it an appreciated and welcome reality for many. Stop by the Center for Vein Medicine in either our Frederick or Hagerstown, Maryland locations!