PerformanceVeinInstitute

Am I a candidate for varicose vein treatment? If you have pain, swelling, or heaviness in your legs, ankles, or pelvis, you may have varicose veins (venous insufficiency). Typically, varicose vein patients also suffer from pain while standing or walking for long periods of time. Venous insufficiency is a disease and should be treated by professionals who specialize in comprehensive varicose vein management, including diagnosis and treatment.

What makes our office unique for varicose vein treatment?Our physicians are board certified specialists. We specialize in the latest techniques for diagnostic imaging and endovascular treatment.

How do you determine which veins to treat? In addition to obtaining a detailed medical history and physical examination, we perform a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation that will help to identify the sources of venous disease. After a detailed evaluation, we formulate an individualized plan and treatment schedule. Every patient’s venous anatomy and condition is unique. Therefore, every patient receives an individualized, specialized plan for treatment.

Are all varicose veins visible from the outside? No. Varicose veins may be hidden from your view. Just because you don’t see varicose veins, does not mean that you don’t have them. Our diagnostic evaluation may indicate that you are suffering from varicose veins, even when they are not visible. Often, someone suffering from leg pain will discover varicose veins are responsible for the pain even though the culprit veins are not visible.

What is the difference between a good vein and a bad vein? Veins contain one-way valves that allow blood to return back to the heart. If those valves are faulty, blood can travel in the opposite direction—away from the heart. This condition is known as venous reflux, which can result in painful vein distension and other complications.

What kind of procedures do you perform that would help my varicose vein disease? We offer minimally invasive, advanced alternatives to vein stripping or ligation. These procedures allow us to eliminate the primary sources of reflux, or the diseased veins that feed your varicosities. In most cases, a small catheter is inserted into the diseased vein that allows treatment from the inside of the vein.

How long does a procedure last? Each procedure, completed under a localized anesthetic, takes approximately one hour. A small amount of additional time is spent at the office. After the procedure, you are able to return to your home.

Is the procedure painful? Not usually. Local anesthetic is administered during the procedure. Afterwards, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication is usually all that is necessary for your comfort.

Will I need to limit my activity after the procedure? Unless the activity is vigorous, you should not limit your activity after a procedure. Full recovery usually takes a week, but patients can generally resume normal daily activity within hours of completing a procedure.

What happens to the blood flow that normally goes through that vein that has been treated? The blood flow from your varicose vein is redirected into pathways that readily compensate for the absent varicose veins.

Will treatments leave any scarring? Minimal scarring may occur from treatments that we perform. In some cases, the treated site may have mild residual bronzing or slight discoloration. These changes generally diminish with time.

Can all of my veins be treated in one session? In most cases, it takes more than one visit to treat your varicose veins. However, if only a single vein is causing problems, only one treatment may be needed.

Could my pelvic pain be related to varicose veins? Absolutely. Just as you may have varicose veins in your legs, you could have them in your pelvis. Several days before menstruation, some women get throbbing pains in their hips and legs—which is a common symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Treatments for this disease are available to you. Talk to our office to find out more information.

Does pregnancy cause varicose veins? Pregnancy can make a woman more susceptible to developing varicose veins. During pregnancy, a combination of vein compression in the pelvis and decreased smooth muscle tone in the vein wall can cause vein distension. Since smooth muscle tone helps veins pump blood back to the heart, smooth muscle relaxation can result in excessive blood pooling in leg veins, which contributes to the development of varicose vein disease.

Should I wait until I finish having children to have my veins repaired? If varicose veins or pelvic venous congestion syndrome make pregnancy or time in between pregnancies unbearable, treatment is available to you.

Can you guarantee the results? Due to genetics and many other factors, you may be predisposed to future problems. We view our services as “varicose vein management,” rather than a one-time “cure all.” Since there is no way definitively to prevent additional veins from becoming diseased, varicose veins may be an on-going challenge for you.

Does my insurance cover my procedures? Insurance will cover most procedures we offer. If there is a question about coverage, our staff will determine if your insurance will approve the expenses. If your insurance does not cover a procedure, payment options can be arranged to meet your individual needs.