Venous Disease
Venous Insufficiency:
Venous Insufficiency, is a condition where the one-direction valves inside of the veins are not functioning normally, causing pain and swelling in the legs and often times unsightly veins showing through the skin.
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These faulty valves in the veins could lead to the blood not coming back to the heart in an efficient manner. Often times the blood flows backwards and can pool in the veins. This is called Venous Reflux. Venous Disease can cause pain, burning sensations and muscle cramping in the legs. It can also make the legs feel heavy, and often causes swelling in the veins and the legs.
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Spider Veins or Varicose Veins:
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Weakened or damaged veins can cause Spider Veins or Varicose Veins. Both are typically found in the leg and are a result of the one-way valves not working correctly. They can cause minor pain, but they are very different from a health standpoint.
Spider Veins typically have a red, purple or a blue color. They are thin lines or branch looking areas and are normally not painful, and aren’t harmful to the patient. However, patients consider having cosmetic procedures to treat or remove the unsightly veins. We can treat Spider Veins right here in our Expert Vascular Care office.
Varicose Veins are bigger than Spider Veins and are a more advanced form of Venous Insufficiency. These veins are also discolored lines or branches, typically in the legs. However, Varicose Veins are larger, thicker and often times deeper than Spider Veins and can cause blood pooling in the legs. They can also cause pain, itching and/or an achy feeling in the leg, whether sitting, laying, or walking. Varicose Veins can also appear lumpy or raised above the surface of the skin. There are many different procedures to address Varicose Veins and we can perform many of them in our Expert Vascular Care office.
Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency
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Visible Discolored Varicose and Spider Veins
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Pain During Walking and a Heavy Feeling in the Legs
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Leg Cramping and/or Muscle Spasms
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Restless Leg Syndrome
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Swelling of the Legs and/or Angle
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Discoloration Around the Calves and Ankles
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Tight Itchy Skin
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Ulcers and/or Sores on Calves and Ankles
Venous Insufficiency Treatment Options
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA):
RFA treatments use a minimally invasive technique to treat varicose veins. During this procedure, radiofrequency energy is used to heat and damage the vein's wall, which will close off the varicose vein. The vein will then be absorbed in the tissue, therefore re-routing the blood to nearby healthy veins.
Sclerotherapy:
Sclerotherapy is a procedure where a special solution is injected into the vein, which irritates vein’s internal lining, causing it to scar. Once the scar tissue develops, the vein closes off and blood is diverted to healthy veins.
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Ambulatory Phlebectomy:
Phlebectomy is a procedure where tiny incisions are made at various points along the leg near the affected vein. Small sections of the vein are slowly removed through the incisions. During this treatment a local anesthetic is used to comfort the area and the incisions are so small that they rarely require stitches.
Venous Compression Syndrome:
​Venous Compression Syndrome is when a vein is compressed by a structure or artery impacting the flow of blood.
May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) is specific to when the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein, causing blood flow issues.
Venous Compression Syndrome can be found in both young or older patients and can lead to further venous complications.
Symptoms of Venous Compression:
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Discoloration of Skin of the Leg
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Sores or Wounds on Legs or near Ankle
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Swelling of Leg Veins
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Development into Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
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Pain in Legs
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Heavy Feeling in Legs​
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Venous Compression Syndrome Treatments:
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Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small catheter that captures images inside the vascular system to identify blockages and compressions. IVUS is used to diagnose Venous Compressions.​
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) With Stent
If a venous compression is identified during the IVUS, a stent can be deployed in the compressed area, ultimately propping open the vein, relieving the compression to increase the blood flow. Stents come in different sizes, depending on the size of the compressed area and can also be deployed bilaterally (on both sides) to relieve two different compressions.
