Varicose Vein Procedures

More patients should be sent earlier for venous insufficiency ultrasound testing.
Early detection and treatment can stop and reverse deterioration of the legs.

Everyone knows that patients with varicose veins and spider veins go to vein doctors. But, most patients and many doctors do not realize the following:

1. Most varicose veins are hidden and cause slow deterioration of the legs: Most vein patients (9 of 10) do not have visible, surface varicose veins and spider veins. Most varicose veins are hidden. More patients should have earlier and more thorough venous insufficiency ultrasound testing, i.e. an examination of all five truncal veins, done standing and standardized.
   
   
2. Easily treatable venous etiology: 'Definitive' treatment is always best. A simple venous insufficiency ultrasound (US) will reliably reveal venous valvular insufficiency. The following signs and symptoms often have an easily treatable venous etiology:
   
   
   Swollen ankles - often of venous etiology, not cardiac or renal - order an US!
   Night cramps - often of venous etiology, not hypo-K+, Mg++, CA++ - order an US!
   Leg skin changes - venous stasis needs definitive care - order an US!
   Leg ulcers - 9 of 10 are of venous etiology! Many labs miss these - order the MVC US!
   Blue veins at feet/ankle - corona phlebectasia is a sign of vein failure - order an US!
   Leg pain, aching, heaviness, tiredness - ''I'm dragging a log around''- order an US!
   Restless leg symptoms - often RLS is 'secondary' and of venous etiology - order an US!
   Neuropathy - consider 'compartment syndrome' of venous etiology - order an US!
   
   
3. Usually vein treatment is "medically necessary", not "cosmetic only": Most vein diagnostics and treatments are medically necessary and are paid for by insurance and Medicare. 99% of MVC practice receipts are from insurance and Medicare.
   
   
4. The standard of care is changing: Venous valvular insufficiency causes progressive deterioration of the legs. Given today's definitive, painless, safe and effective office treatments(as opposed to the old 'vein stripping', for example), it is no longer "conservative" to simply ignore venous hypertension or address it with only palliative measures, i.e. elevation, stockings, creams, wound care, diuretics, dopaminergics, antibiotics, NSAIDs, minerals and other medications.
   
   
5. More patients should be referred earlier: The thorough bilateral venous insufficiency ultrasound of the deep veins and of all five truncal veins, is performed while the patient is standing and with a standardized venous challenge. This is the gold standard exam that patients deserve.

Call for a free private educational consult appointment. 1-800-VARICOSE