An estimated 60% of women and men suffer from vein disorders.

To understand venous disorders one must first understand the function of veins. Arteries are blood vessels responsible for delivery of blood to all areas of the body, including legs. Veins are responsible for collecting the same blood and bringing it back to the heart. Leg veins are located far away from the heart and have to work extra hard to push blood upwards towards the heart against gravity. Studies have shown that a vast majority of people have genetically weak veins. Now, if you add more risk factors like standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, pregnancies, excess weight, trauma, these veins start to fail.

As veins begin to fail, blood starts to pool in the legs resulting in veins that are varicose.

Varicose veins are large, bulging veins that are often visible on the skin surface although the majority are located below the skin surface and only visible with help of an Ultrasound. They are weak or damaged blood vessels that cause poor circulation of blood.

What are varicose veins?

The term varicose comes from the Latin "varix" meaning, swollen or knotted.

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface. Many people have varicose veins that show no signs on the skin surface; rather they experience some of the numerous other physical symptoms.

Who gets varicose veins?

According to the American College of Phlebology, where much of the cutting edge research on vein disease originates, it is estimated that over 80 million Americans suffer from varicose veins and associated venous insufficiency.

The biggest risk factor is heredity (genetically weak veins) even if there are no known family members with vein disease. Studies have shown that patients are 90 percent likely to have varicose veins if both parents have the condition, and 20 percent likely if neither parent has the disease.

Other risk factors are:

• Advancing age
• Decreased level of activity
• Obesity
• Occupations that require standing for prolonged periods of time such as nurses, hair stylists, teachers, and factory workers
• Hormonal influences during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause
• History of injury to legs
• Current or past blood clots

Do men get varicose veins?

There is a common misconception that only women suffer from varicose veins. Studies have demonstrated no such difference by gender. In one study, although the rate of moderate disease (less severe varicose veins) was twice as high among women as men, the rate of severe disease (advanced varicose veins) was higher in men than women. This is likely because men tend to wait longer before seeking treatment, thus they have more advanced disease when diagnosed.

During the intial stages, patients usually have mild symptoms, which are experienced more towards the end of the day. The onset of the symptoms is very subtle, so much so, that many people forget how their legs felt before they had problems. As the condition worsens,  symptoms become more noticeable. 

The intial signs and symptoms may include: 

• Leg Pain
• Heaviness
• Tiredness
• Aching
• Restlessness in legs
• Burning or numbness
• Cramping or “Charlie horse”
• Swelling in feet, ankles and calves

Over time, symptoms will worsen and could result in skin changes, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and other complications.

As varicose veins worsen, there is increased backflow (reflux) of blood causing swelling in the ankles, feet and legs. This is followed by discoloration around the ankles and feet. Left untreated, may result in stasis dermatitis (dry, flaky rash), phlebitis (blood clots) and ulcers (skin sores.)

Due to increased pressure of blood in legs, even a minor injury may result in profuse bleeding. Poor circulation may cause frequent skin infection and sores that do not heal.

Spider VeinsAlso known as Telangiectasia, these smaller versions of varicose veins usually appear on the skin's surface as small, red to purple blood vessels on legs. These unsightly veins are more commonly referred to as spider veins since they resemble a spider's web.

Spider veins by themselves rarely pose a medical problem, although they can cause localized pain, itching and burning in many people. However, spider veins are frequently just the "tip of the iceberg," a sign of problems in the larger veins below the skin surface. Your Phlebologist may recommend a diagnostic ultrasound scan to test for underlying problems. The treatment of spider veins is much more successful if the underlying varicose veins are corrected first.

Your Phlebologist (vein specialist) will do a detailed examination and make a diagnosis. A visual examination of your legs while you're standing, along with a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, can be important information in determining whether an ultrasound is necessary.

Ultrasound scanning is done in the office, is totally pain-free, and results are available immediately. The Phlebologist will then discuss with you the best treatment options. Treatment is designed for each patient based on the results of the examination and ultrasound scan. Everyone is different, so individual tailoring of treatment is essential.

Early varicose vein treatment often prevents the symptoms from worsening and, of course, removes the unsightly appearance. In fact, the earlier you receive specialized treatment, the better the long-term clinical and cosmetic results. A combination of non-invasive treatments is usually recommended in order to ensure the immediate and long-term results. Our board certified specialists have successfully performed over 25,000 combined Endovenous Laser Ablations for varicose vein treatment. Vein Clinic PA offers the latest technology in equipment, staff support and technique to ensure the safest and most optimal outcome for varicose vein treatment.

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Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA, is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure for varicose vein treatment that offers an effective alternative to the surgical stripping of veins. It is performed in the office under local anesthetic using our unique numbing system. EVLA is the safest, most effective and long-term solution that science and modern medicine offers for varicose vein treatment.

Under ultrasound guidance, a thin fiber-optic probe is inserted through a tiny entry point, usually near the knee. Laser energy is delivered to seal the faulty vein so that blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates unsightly bulging and enables the blood to be diverted to healthy veins in the leg, thereby alleviating any symptoms. Right after the procedure, patients can resume daily activity, and most patients return to work immediately.

Innovative ThermaLite 1470 nm Laser System

Vein Clinic PA exclusively uses the leading edge EVLA technology (1470 nm laser system), which decreases discomfort and bruising, while maintaining the unparalleled efficacy and safety of laser technology. Learn more by reading our blog article about the new ThermaLite laser system.

Ultrasound Guided SclerotherapyAlso known as Echosclerotherapy, this method of treating varicose veins and venous insufficiency uses medication that is injected into a vein, causing it to close. Healthy veins then take over to correct blood flow back to the heart, resulting in symptom improvement. Using ultrasound guidance is essential in achieving long-term results and ensures the most complete treatment to all diseased veins.

When the injectable agent comes in contact with the inside lining of the vein, the treated vein collapses and is soon replaced by a thin cord of fibrous tissue. The vein is now permanently closed. This process is called sclerosis, hence the term sclerotherapy. The treated vein is then slowly absorbed by your body and eventually disappears.

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a highly versatile treatment and useful to treat any residual varicose veins that may persist after Endovenous Laser Ablation. This ensures comprehensive treatment of the entire diseased network of veins for long-term benefit.

Sclerotherapy being performed on spider vein.Vein Clinic PA uses the best treatments available for spider veins, including injection sclerotherapy and thermolysis.

Injection sclerotherapy is the gold standard for treatment of spider veins. Using a special light, the vein is isolated and a small amout of medication (sclerosant) is injected inside the vein. The medication "closes" the vein and stops the flow of blood.

Although the appearance of treated veins improves (diminishes) immediately, the veins are slowly absorbed by the body over a course of several weeks or months. Typically, several veins can be treated in one session and more than one session may be required depending on the extent of spider veins. It is also possible that repeat injections may be necessary since some veins are more "stubborn" than others.

Thermolysis is a breakthrough treatment technology that allows us to treat even the smallest and most curvy vein where sclerotherapy may not be an option. An extremely tiny needle focuses energy directly onto the vein, and closes it immediately.

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This treatment is not dependent on skin type, like lasers and other light-based therapies, and provides a superior solution for sealing vessels that have shown resistance to other treatment options. The tissue on the skin surface is rarely affected and many patients report minimal, if any, discomfort compared to laser or intense pulse light therapies used elsewhere. As with sclerotherapy, given some time, body absorbs the "closed" veins.

Generally, patients will require sclerotherapy treatment first, as it is still the first line in treating spider veins. This spider vein treatment is then recommended for any veins remaining that meet the criteria in size. Rest assured, Vein Clinic PA uses the most sophisticated technology available and highly skilled staff to meet your needs.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

In this procedure, a physician makes a series of tiny puncture holes along the vein and then takes out small segments of the vein. It is usually done on an outpatient basis and can involve one or more veins.