VARICOSE VEIN
PROCEDURES
HOW VEINS WORK
REASONS TO FIX
FAILED VEINS
EDUCATIONAL CONSULT,
SCREENING, & DIAGNOSIS
THE FOUR VARICOSE
VEIN PROCEDURES
MYTHS AND THE CHANGING
STANDARD OF CARE
SEE OUR
LEARNING VIDEOS
|
Myths about Varicose Vein Procedures
Myth: Varicose Vein Procedures are painful…..
|
Not true. |
Vein treatments are painless office procedures - vein stripping is
a procedure of the past. |
Myth:
Varicose Vein Procedures are mostly cosmetic and is very
costly
|
Not true. |
While there is great cosmetic improvement, almost all vein treatment done
in our offices is medically necessary (99%), and this is paid for by insurances
and Medicare. |
Myth: Varicose Vein
Procedures require prolonged recovery…..
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Not true. |
Treatments take about 20 minutes in the office, and patients can return to
normal work and activity the same day. |
Myth: Varicose Vein
Procedures are mainly for patients with visible varicose veins…..
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Not true. |
Most varicose veins are hidden beneath the skin and not
visible; yet these varicosities lead to signs and symptoms and to long term,
slow deterioration of the health of the legs. Most patients with vein failure
have few or no surface signs of vein disease. Many of these patients have heavy,
painful and tired legs from hidden varicose veins, and these patients benefit
greatly from treatment. Also, most patients with leg swelling, night cramps,
restless legs and skin changes, who also have vein failure detected on
ultrasound evaluation, benefit greatly from treatment. |
Myth: Varicose Vein
Procedures are offered for varicose veins only because they are ugly
…..
|
Not true. |
Varicose veins are also dangerous! These superficial veins
are where you develop phlebitis (superficial clot and inflammation). Phlebitis
greatly increases the chance of associated deep vein thrombosis, and this
increases the risk of pulmonary emboli. |
Myth: Varicose Vein
Procedures are only for women…..
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Not true. |
More than a third of our patients are men. |
Myth: Varicose Vein
Procedures are risky…..
|
Not true. |
These are office treatments…..they are very safe. |
Myth: Varicose Vein
Procedures are less conservative than palliative care…..
|
Not true. |
Why subject a patient to a lifetime of diuretics, cramp and restless leg
medications, lotions, repeated wound care, antibiotics for recurrent cellulitis,
uncomfortable stockings and inconvenient elevation? These are palliative
treatments. Definitive treatment avoids a lifetime of gradual leg deterioration
and recurrent, temporizing, palliative care. Traditional palliative measures
were appropriate years ago when the alternative was dangerous, painful vein
stripping. But now the truly conservative approach is a proper diagnostic
ultrasound and definitive care: closure of failed veins with a laser procedure,
micro-phlebectomy, and/or varieties of sclerotherapy: all 20 minute, safe,
effective and painless office procedures. |
|
Venous Insufficiency and Peripheral Vascular Disease
(PVD) Public Education Series
|
Leg skin
discoloration, repeated infection, itching, burning and ulcers. |
| Summary: |
Failed vein valves cause pressure, pooling and
leakage in the veins below. This congestion sickens the skin, causing
discoloration, a propensity to developing cellulitis, itching, burning and even
ulcers. These signs and symptoms are collectively called 'stasis dermatitis'. |
| Problem: |
Often this diagnosis is missed, vein failure is
not even considered, and the patient is simply given lotions, medications, and
even wound care without adequate testing and treatment. |
Most of these patients do not have varicose veins or spider veins visible on
the surface. They and, unfortunately, their doctors often do not know they have
vein disease. The office ultrasound evaluation and the office treatments are
now simple, safe, and non-surgical. It is not safe, and it is no longer
reasonable to treat these patients year after year with palliative care. Even
patients with other obvious clues that indicate venous disease including
symptoms of leg pain, night cramps, itching/burning skin or restlessness, and
physical signs including spider veins, varicose veins, or swelling, are often
offered only palliative care.
"A large percentage of people have vein problems, approximately 50% of
people over 55 years old! Most are not getting the simple evaluation and modern
treatments they need," says Dr. Mountcastle. They suffer needlessly. Simple
in-office procedures to treat venous insufficiency can stop the deterioration of
the skin and reverse the damage, even in severe cases of stasis dermatitis.
 | |
|
VARICOSE VEIN PROCEDURES |
HOW VEINS WORK |
REASONS TO FIX FAILED VEINS
EDUCATIONAL CONSULT, SCREENING, AND DIAGNOSIS |
THE FOUR VARICOSE VEIN PROCEDURES
MYTHS AND THE CHANGING STANDARD OF CARE |
SEE OUR LEARNING VIDEOS
|
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