Varicose Veins and Treatment of Venous Disorders

Varicose veins are swollen, ropy veins. Typically purple or dark blue in color, these enlarged veins occur in the legs, and can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or race. Up to 30% of the US population has or will have varicose veins. Lifestyle does play a role in your likelihood of developing varicose veins. Age (50+), a stationary job that requires long periods of sitting or standing, pregnancy, obesity, and smoking all increase your risk.

Varicose veins are often the result of “venous reflux,” a condition in which blood travels backwards through the vein, putting pressure on vein walls and causing them to enlarge. Aside from the visibly swollen vein, symptoms include burning, itching, or heaviness in the legs, swelling in the feet and ankles due to fluid buildup, skin conditions and ulcers that are slow to heal, or darkening of the skin around your feet and ankles.

Varicose veins are more than just a cosmetic issue. They can be a sign of venous (vein) disease or insufficiency. If left untreated, they can lead to significant health issues including leg swelling, skin ulcers, skin infections, and even blood clots. Traditional surgical treatments were painful, and often led to recurrence of varicose veins over time.

Using advances in Interventional Radiology, our specialists are typically able to get you back on your feet within 1-2 days, with less chance of recurrence.

Common conditions include:

Sclerotherapy

During this treatment, interventional radiologists use a fine needle to inject vein-dissolving solution into your varicose and spider veins. The number of veins treated per session will depend on their size and location. You may experience burning and discomfort where the injections occur. After the treatment, you’ll wear compression hose or wraps to compress the treated veins.

graphic of varicose vein laser treatment

Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)

Instead of using a solution to dissolve the vein, EVLT uses medical lasers to deliver light energy, eradicating only the damaged tissue while leaving surrounding tissue untouched. Because EVLT is so minimally-invasive, there are few side effects. You may experience minor bruising and swelling, or a tightness in the legs that resolves within a few days.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

During this treatment, varicose veins are removed through small incisions in the skin. When all targeted veins have been removed, your legs will be wrapped securely in compression bandages to reduce chances of swelling and inflammation. Most individuals undergoing this procedure can return to normal activities within 1-2 days. This treatment option provides a low rate of recurrence compared to traditional surgery.