Many patients complain about the appearance of gnarled, enlarged veins in their legs or milder – yet still noticeable – spider veins. However, beyond vanity, varicose veins and spider veins can signal more serious problems involving circulation. In addition, varicose veins often cause aching pain, heaviness, and discomfort. That’s why insurance, including Medicare, often covers the cost of varicose vein treatment.
Are your veins bothering you?
3 Things you should know before considering treatment…
Vanquish Varicose Veins
A Real Disease With Real Treatments
What Causes Varicose & Spider Veins?
With age, veins lose elasticity, and the valves may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving toward the heart to flow backward. Blood pools in these veins and causes them to enlarge. These veins appear blue because they contain deoxygenated blood.
In addition to age, pregnancy can cause varicose veins since blood volume increases during pregnancy, but the flow of blood from the legs to the pelvis decreases.
Beyond The Surface: Treating Varicose Veins At The Source
Most varicose veins are caused by failure of valves inside the vessel which no longer close when they should. Because the valves inside the veins fail to work properly, blood does not flow back and forth as it should. This leads to progressive enlargement and weakening of the vein wall, which can cause discomfort, aching and heaviness. Over time, varicose veins can damage skin and even lead to ulcers.
At Unique Interventional Radiology, we typically eliminate veins just under the skin, by first treating deeper, more important vessels called saphenous veins. During this minimally invasive treatment, we insert a catheter into the calf and up to the groin. Then, we treat the vein with radiofrequency current or laser current, which delivers heat to shrink the vein shut.
In addition to saphenous veins, our interventional radiologists also treat isolated varicose veins and spider veins using sclerotherapy. In this procedure, our doctor injects the damaged veins with a solution that closes the vessel. In a few weeks, the veins fade.
We perform the procedure in our offices under local anesthesia, and patients can usually walk the very same day of treatment. Most resume normal activities the next day.
Varicose Veins Treatment
Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment
Your physician may determine that you have venous insufficiency requiring an Endoluminal Laser Ablation. All procedures are done in the office using a local anesthetic called tumescent. Tumescent anesthesia is a very dilute solution of lidocaine with bicarbonate, which makes the solution very comfortable without the burning sensation. It is very fast acting and lasts for several hours after the procedure is over.
During the procedure, you will feel a small needle stick to numb the area. Another small needle is then inserted into the vein followed by a small guide wire, catheter and finally the laser fiber. Once in place, you will feel a few small needle sticks and some pressure while the numbing medicine is injected around your vein. Once numb, the laser is activated while being slowly pulled out.
*Results vary from patient to patient. For a personal assessment of the results you can expect, request a consultation.
The heat from the laser causes the vessel wall to close and blood is no longer able to flow through the faulty vein. Over time, the body absorbs the vein. The procedure improves the circulation in the leg by ensuring that blood is traveling in the correct direction. Symptoms improve quickly and many patients state they see and feel relief in a matter of days.
After the procedure, your leg will be wrapped in a special bandage that can be removed the next day. Compression stockings should then be worn for the next 2 weeks. Many times, an anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen, is given. You may resume normal activities within 2 days. Short-term bruising is normal and mild discomfort is common.
Do you have varicose veins?
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VEINS TREATMENT?
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Meet Our Team
Moises Roizental
MD FSIR
Dr. Roizental is a Board Certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, with over 20 years experience in endovascular procedures. (Former chief resident at Harvard Medical School)
TEL. #: (833) 786-4783
Linda Hughes
MD
Linda Anne Hughes, MD is a board certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist with more than twenty years experience. (Former Chief Resident at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School)
TEL. #: (833) 786-4783
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all of your questions.
Request your online consultation
See a Doctor from home with an online doctor visit
SPEAK WITH A DOCTOR ON YOUR COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE
- Sometimes, it’s hard to get to one of our offices.
- Schedule a time that is convenient for you.
- Avoid travel time and waiting rooms.
- Connect through a trusted video chat platform for medicine.
- One of our doctors will be able to answer all of your questions.
Request your online consultation
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I had a great experience, new facility with all new equipment, and a great doctor from Harvard, here in Miami. Dr Roizental is a great compassionate doctor
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Outstanding medical service. New high-tech facility with excellent doctors. Recommended 100%.
S. Brown (Patient)
Doctor Roizental’s facility was great. Clean, professional and took care of me quickly.
F.A.Q. About Varicose Veins Treatment
Real answers from our doctors
WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR YOUR EDUCATION.
What are Varicose Veins?
Blood travels in your legs through the veins leading to the heart. There are valves in the veins that prevent blood from flowing backwards by gravity, preventing dilation of the veins. When the valves inside the veins do not work properly, the blood does not circulate well (venous insufficiency) and veins dilate progressively. Varicose veins occur when the veins are dilated, enlarged and become visible and palpable, leading to cosmetic consequences such as changes in skin color, as well as medical issues including swelling, pain, inflammation, infection and ulcers.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms from varicose veins are highly variable depending on the extent of the disease, ranging from only cosmetic issues to serious ulcers that do not heal easily.
Chronic venous insufficiency can result from delayed treatment of varicose veins, veins with damaged valves as a result of clot formation, venous thrombosis, or genetically dilated veins. The valve damage generates slow circulation in the veins. The permanence of blood in the veins and poor circulation causes swelling or edema of the legs, which eventually darkens the skin. Although chronic venous insufficiency is not curable, it’s complications can be prevented or limited, and symptoms significantly improved with a simple non-surgical treatment.
You should learn to recognize the early symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Prolonged sitting can cause edema or swelling in the legs and ankles, which is the most common symptom of chronic venous insufficiency. If swelling increases and persists for a long time, the skin will darken, and you may experience itching. If left untreated, the process may result in non-healing ulcers.
To reduce the risk of developing venous ulcers, venous circulation should be improved. Treatment options include elevating the legs, exercising, and wearing elastic compression stockings. If overweight, you should consider a weight loss program. Compression stockings may relieve symptoms; however, in most cases the underlying cause should be treated. Venous laser ablation can be performed in the office with outstanding results.
Are there any complications?
The problems of varicose veins are highly variable depending on the extent of the disease, ranging from only cosmetic to serious ulcers that do not heal easily.
Chronic venous insufficiency can result from delayed treatment of varicose veins, veins with damaged valves as a result of clot formation, venous thrombosis, or genetically dilated veins. The valve damage generates slow circulation in the veins. The permanence of blood in the veins and poor circulation causes swelling or edema of the legs, which eventually darkens the skin. Although chronic venous insufficiency is not curable, its complications can be prevented or limited, and symptoms significantly improved with a simple non-surgical treatment.
Request an appointment
Educating yourself is great, but every patient is different. Don’t hesitate to contact us and request an appointment.
Sclerotherapy Treatment for Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can be treated with a combination of laser and sclerotherapy injections. Sclerotherapy causes inflammation in the blood vessel wall resulting in closure of the blood vessel. The body then reabsorbs the varicose vein much like it would a bruise. The laser may be used in conjunction to decrease the size of the vein and cause a double injury to that treated vein. Not all patients are candidates for laser. By incorporating the laser we are able to reduce the total number of treatments.
5 Main Benefits of Sclerotherapy
- Most popular and effective treatment available
- Out-patient procedure
- Low risk procedure with few complications
- You can perform daily activites the same day of treatment
- Covered by most major insurance companies
F.A.Q. About Sclerotherapy
ARE THE TREATMENTS PAINFUL?
The Sclerotherapy procedure requires that a very small needle be used and many patients are pleased that they can hardly tell they are being injected. The solution is not painful which makes Sclerotherapy a mostly pain free procedure. If there is postprocedural pain, over the counter pain reducers like, Advil, Tylenol or Ibuprofen is all that will be required.
HOW IS SCLEROTHERAPY PERFORMED?
Using a very fine needle, the veins are injected with a sclerosing solution. During and after the injections most people describe a mild burning or stinging sensation which lasts for 3-5 minutes. At each treatment session, many veins may be injected at multiple sites. Following treatment a compression stocking is applied and this must be worn for the recommended duration to maintain pressure on the treated veins and stop them refilling with blood. If there is postprocedural pain, patients may take over the counter pain reducers like Advil, Tylenol or Ibuprofen. One leg is usually treated at each session, and more than one treatment may be required on each leg. Treated veins fade gradually over 6 – 12 weeks.
ARE THERE ANY COMPLICATIONS?
Injections or Sclerotherapy is very safe but with any procedure, there are some minor potential risks. The most common is mild itching and bruising. This itching resolves in a matter of minutes and the bruising resolves in 5-7 days. There have been rare reported cases of allergic reaction and on occasion, a small sore can occur at the injection site that resolves in 4-6 weeks.
Request an appointment
Educating yourself is great, but every patient is different. Don’t hesitate to contact us and request an appointment.
