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About Vein Disorders What are varicose veins? About Vein Treatment What should I look for in a physician? Insurance and FSAs Is vein treatment covered by insurance?
Q: What are varicose veins?
In men, the pathophysiology is similar, but instead of reticular veins, the culprits are multiple, small-branching varices and “high pressured small vein disease” (hpsvd). The varices, unfortunately, are often mistaken for “cosmetic” telangiectasia (spider veins). The difference is important because the treatment is different. The association between RLS and vein disease has been overlooked, most likely because of the innocent appearance of the reticular veins. We see dozens of cases each day with RLS, and we expect improvement after only a few treatment sessions. At Vein Clinics of America, we have been successfully treating vein disorders without surgery since 1981. In fact, it’s all we do. Unique to the treatment of vein disease, VCA utilizes state-of-the-art Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT) along with the non-surgical, minimally invasive COMPASS technique of ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. This allows us to meet the specific needs of each patient – from the largest varicose vein to the smallest spider veins. Our physicians are dedicated to making patients feel at ease throughout the process. They will thoroughly evaluate your condition, discuss the details of your situation so you feel comfortable and present you with a course of action that works best for you. A: The documented failure rate for surgery is 30 to 80% in one to five years. Removing a varicose vein surgically is not the same as removing an appendix – a one-time-only procedure – because varicose veins are a chronic problem plagued with new growth in many places in the leg. Repeated surgery is not an acceptable solution for a recurrent problem. A: An endovenous laser is used to treat large veins beneath the surface of the skin. Surface lasers treat the lighter, more delicate spider veins that appear close to the skin's surface. A: Sclerotherapy is a microinjection procedure that requires no pain medication or surgery. Abnormal veins are destroyed by injecting a solution called a sclerosant, which irritates the vein wall. It is not simply injecting the sclerosant, but paying attention to the volume, concentration and “exposure time” that makes the difference between success and failure. A: The sclerosant we use is an FDA-approved medication, which intentionally causes injury to the inner vein wall. This injury occurs in a controlled manner, depending on the volume and concentration of the medication used in each site. The medication is inactivated quickly by dilutional effect and interaction with structural components of the vein wall, making the effect localized. The initial injury to the vein wall results in a healing process which causes the vein to literally heal shut over time. This results in shrinkage of the vein, and eventually, complete obliteration of the target vein.
A: Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT) was FDA-approved in 2002, and extensively reviewed by the physicians of Vein Clinics of America to be certain it was safe and effective before introducing it to our patients. ELT is a quick, minimally invasive laser treatment that requires no hospitalization and no complicated surgery. The entire procedure, start to finish, takes about one hour and causes minimal to no pain. Performed under ultrasound guidance, ELT uses laser energy to treat the underlying cause of varicose veins by closing off the vein to any future blood flow. Your body then naturally uses other healthy veins to return blood from the heart. A: Major complications resulting from ELT are very rare. Various levels of discomfort can occur as well as some bruising. A: Varicose veins are a burden on your circulation. Because the blood inside them is refluxing (going backwards), correcting the flow can only improve your circulation. In treating varicose veins, we eliminate only the bad veins and safeguard the healthy veins for normal circulation. We also preserve healthy veins for possible future use as a bypass graft source. Ultrasound helps to ensure that treatment is highly selective. A: If you have a chronic vein problem, your chances of recurrence are affected by several factors, the most important of which is the thoroughness of your treatment. Unfortunately, many patients quit treatment too early – usually, once they believe their legs look “good enough.” In fact, remnants of the veins left in the leg can quickly grow into more veins. A: As you probably know, postponing any type of treatment can have its drawbacks. Varicose vein disease is a progressive disease that, if left untreated, will only get worse. When making a decision about your varicose veins, keep in mind that the sooner you get your veins treated, the easier they are to treat and control. A: The physicians of Vein Clinics of America have treated not only the veins in their patients’ legs, but also their hands and face. We’ve even successfully treated the veins around their eyes. Dark circles under the eyes are more common with age, and are usually a condition in women. These patients have feeder veins coming from their scalp that drain into the veins under their eyes. The blood collects and distends those veins, making their eyes darker. We can see the feeder veins at the upper front temple regions. Treatment of these veins can markedly reduce or eliminate dark circles – with no adverse affect on your brain, or the blood circulation to your eyes. Prominent veins are a proliferative condition here also, and treatment (eradication) involves reducing the number of veins to a more normal level. A: Treatment is on an outpatient basis during convenient office visits. You can resume most activities shortly after each session.
A: Unlike common “weekend training seminars” for physicians, all our new physicians participate in a preceptorship, which is an extended period of practical training under the supervision of one of our experienced physicians. After training – which lasts approximately three to four months – new physicians are heavily mentored for a full year. A: When you come to us, you will complete a patient medical history form. A medical doctor specializing in phlebology will examine you and answer your questions. Your circulation will be tested with a non-invasive Doppler, and an individualized treatment plan will be developed for you. If a condition other than a vein disorder is identified, you will be referred back to your personal physician. A: Your VCA phlebologist may recommend diagnostic tests, including Arterial Doppler and continuous Wave Doppler, Duplex Ultrasound and Light Reflection Rheography. This state-of-the-art technology provides painless and non-invasive testing, and is performed in the physician's office. A: Varicose vein treatment is often covered by insurance. In fact, VCA is in network with most major insurance plans. We will work with you to maximize your insurance benefits. Call us at 866-923-8346 to learn more. A: FSAs are a valuable benefit to help pay for medical expenses. Reimbursable FSA expenses cover a variety of heath-related treatments including many treatments for vein disorders, such as varicose veins and leg ulcers. To learn more call us at 866-923-8346.
The information found on this website is designed to support, not replace, the patient/physician relationship. Please contact us at 866-923-8346 to meet with a doctor. |
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