Varicose Veins

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose Veins are large, ropey, and twisting blue vessels, which appear in the skin anywhere from the thigh to the foot. The actual cause of varicose veins is inefficient, faulty vein valves. These valves don’t close properly, allowing blood to leak back with gravity and pool in the vein. They are most often the result of leaking and incompetent valves in the superficial saphenous veins. These abnormal valves allow blood to flow retrograde back down the legs and into all of the skin veins. The repeated reflux causes high vein pressures, resulting in veins, which enlarge and twist over time. Leg pain associated with varicose veins is usually due to swelling of the veins and of the surrounding tissues. Phlebitis develops when one or more of these veins develop a blood clot, usually when the patient is inactive. A painful and red lump where varicose veins are located is nearly always a sign of phlebitis.

What Are the Symptoms?

Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic disorder. The veins bulge and stretch and result in many unpleasant side effects such as:

  • Heavy and tired legs
  • Aching and throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Itching
  • Leg cramps
  • Restless Leg Syndrome

Heredity is a primary factor in over 80% of varicose vein cases. Other contributing factors may include pregnancy, obesity, hormone therapy, standing or sitting for long periods of time and injury.

How Are They Treated?

Quick, effective outpatient visits treat the root cause, not just the symptoms.

Diagnosis & Evaluation

At Indiana Vein Specialists, we treat vein issues using a stepwise approach. We start by identifying the problem with an ultrasound study of the legs. Once the bad veins are identified, we discuss the various treatment options and tell you which ones we think are the best for you.

Treatment

Varicose veins and their underlying cause are quite treatable. We offer patients a variety of varicose vein treatment procedures that seal off veins with unhealthy valves. Blood circulation then returns to the veins with properly working valves, and closed veins are eventually absorbed back into the body. Following treatment, the leg must be supported to allow the vein walls to stick together. This is accomplished by using compression bandages or graduated support stockings. Newer stocking designs have greatly improved the comfort associated with their use.

We pride ourselves on our ability to offer our patients a wide variety of treatment options:

Vein Disease Diagnosis

Vein disorders are not always visible; therefore, modern vein disease diagnosis requires diagnostic techniques and tools to determine the cause and severity of the problem. Depending on the results of your screening, we may recommend additional tests such as a diagnostic ultrasound to identify where and how badly your veins are damaged.
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Venous Treatment Phases

We take an "Inside-Out" Approach® to evaluation and treatment. During your initial consultation, it is very important to us that you have time to review the ultrasound scan with your provider. We will also review your history, symptoms, the scan, and initial exam to determine the next steps for evaluation.
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Conservative Measures

Conservative measures are often the first step in managing chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). While these measures don’t treat the underlying issue of CVI, they do provide symptomatic relief and slow the development of other problems caused by CVI. They can also aid your recovery after treating varicose and spider veins.
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Endovenous Laser Ablation

Endovenous laser ablation, also called endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), is a minimally invasive procedure that we use in our office to treat chronic venous insufficiency. EVLT uses the application of heat to seal bad veins.
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Radiofrequency Endovenous Ablation

Radiofrequency endovenous ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to treat abnormal veins. Instead of using laser energy, it uses RF energy produced by a catheter to close the veins being treated.
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Varithena

Varithena is a foam sclerosant drug that we use to treat many forms of varicose veins. It works by injecting the micro-foam into the varicose vein. The micro-foam spreads evenly through the vein, causing it to spasm and shut down. After that, the blood stream swiftly absorbs the foam solution once the vein closes.
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VenaSeal

The VenaSeal closure system is a new treatment for varicose veins that seals bad veins with a medical adhesive. It is the only procedure that uses a medical glue to permanently close abnormal saphenous veins. The procedure is very safe and minimally invasive.
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Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) is a specialized treatment for surface varicosities. The procedure is both safe and very effective. It involves injecting a sclerosant medication into the bad veins using ultrasound mapping, which causes the veins to close.
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Surface Sclerotherapy

Surface sclerotherapy is the gold standard for treating spider and reticular veins. It is a safe and minimally invasive procedure that allows you to quickly get back to your normal routine. The procedure involves injecting a sclerosant medication into your problematic veins. This sclerosant causes the veins to swell and eventually seal off blood flow. Some patients notice results right away, but for others it may take a few weeks to see the outcome of their treatment.
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Real Results.

See some of the results we’ve achieved for our clients.

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“I can now endure intense cardio and leg workouts, and it does feel like I’ve been given a new set of legs.”

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