Vein Treatments

Making Legs Feel and Look Good

Vein disease is known as chronic venous insufficiency or venous reflux. The valves of some of the veins in the legs stop working leading to multiple problems. Vein disease often results in heavy, tired, throbbing and swollen legs. Some people may experience restlessness and leg cramping at night. More commonly, people with vein disease will develop varicose or spider veins. In advanced situations, vein disease can lead to discoloration of the ankles and development of venous ulcers.

Vein Treatment Q & A

What is Vein Disease?

Vein disease is also known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or venous reflux disease. Affecting 1 out of 20 people, CVI is the primary cause of varicose vein. However, in addition, CVI is also responsible for symptoms of heavy, tired and throbbing legs. Some people with CVI may have restlessness or cramping of the legs at night or swelling of the feet and legs that gets worse throughout the day. CVI is caused by the valves within the veins of the leg malfunctioning leading to pooling of blood and fluid in the legs. Left untreated, people with CVI can progress to developing thickened, discolored skin particularly around the inner ankle. Because this skin is unhealthy, sores called venous stasis ulcers can form which limit mobility and require antibiotics and intensive wound care.

Who is at risk?

Chronic venous insufficiency affects 5% of the population. Many people don’t realize there is a problem. CVI tends to run in families and frequently develops in people who work in jobs that require a long period of standing or sitting. Pregnancy can also increase the risk of developing CVI. Women who have had 3 or more children have a 50% chance of having symptoms of vein disease. Because of the progressive nature of the disease, many patients start to show signs and symptoms of CVI after the age of 50.

How is Vein Disease Diagnosed?

Vein disease is diagnosed by clinical evaluation and ultrasound. “A specialized ultrasound is performed which checks to see if the valves of the veins are functioning properly. If the valves are found to be malfunctioning, then the vein is considered incompetent and abnormal.

How Is Vein Disease Treated?

The treatment of vein disease is varied and can take 2-3 months to complete depending on the extent of reflux found. Conservative management with graduated compression stockings is often recommended as a first step in controlling symptoms. However, in patients where stocking use is not helpful or in patients with severe disease, treatment is available. Vein treatments are minimally invasive, done in the office and have little to no downtime or restrictions. Treatment of incompetent veins consists of shutting them down with a procedure known as ablation. As a companion treatment, veins are then also injected with a medication to shut them down in a procedure called sclerotherapy. Once vein treatment is completed, the incompetent and varicose veins are eliminate and symptoms improve.