Vein Treatment Services
Treatment for Varicose Veins & Venous Reflux Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels in the leg caused by the failure of the valves in the veins to normally pump blood from the limbs back to the heart. The blood can pool, or even reverse, a condition known as venous reflux, which is the cause of varicose veins and their related pain and symptoms. Their treatment is often covered by insurance. Chronic Venous Insufficiency Untreated varicose veins can progress to a more serious form of venous disease called Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Also referred to as Venous Reflux, this disease will result in worsening symptoms, such as pain, swelling, restlessness and fatigue of the legs, as well as skin damage and ulceration in more severe cases. All treatments are minimally invasive, and require little to no downtime. Your Surgeon will prescribe the wearing of compression hosiery for a specific period of time following many of the procedures. Vein disease is progressive, and if left untreated, patients may develop:
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Vein Treatment Video
What Is Venous Disease?
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Diagnosis
Duplex Ultrasound Evaluation
Proper diagnosis is critical to the effective treatment of vein disease. The Vein Care Center at Surgical Specialists of Charlotte uses advanced ultrasound testing known as Duplex Vein Scanning to identify abnormal valve function in the veins. This test typically takes about an hour and is usually covered by your insurance. Our vascular lab is one of the region’s premier IAC Accredited Vascular Laboratories.
Proper diagnosis is critical to the effective treatment of vein disease. The Vein Care Center at Surgical Specialists of Charlotte uses advanced ultrasound testing known as Duplex Vein Scanning to identify abnormal valve function in the veins. This test typically takes about an hour and is usually covered by your insurance. Our vascular lab is one of the region’s premier IAC Accredited Vascular Laboratories.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Radiofrequency Ablation
Also known as VNUS Closure, Venefit and ClosureFast, this minimally invasive procedure is used for the treatment of varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insuffiency (CVI). Performed in our office using just local anesthesia, the tiny ClosureFast catheter is inserted into the affected leg. A tiny burst of radiofrequency energy causes the vein wall to shrink and collapse. The vein is sealed and “closed” when the physician withdraws the catheter. After the diseased vein is sealed shut, the blood is naturally re-routed to healthy veins. Because of the consistent level of heat delivered by the Venefit procedure, the patient experiences less bruising and a quicker recovery period than alternative laser energy ablations.
Varithena
Varithena is an injectable foam treatment for venous reflux that reduces the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins. This vein therapy was created to specifically treat problems with the great saphenous vein and its surrounding system, including twisted veins, veins above and below the knee, and veins previously treated with other methods.
Varithena treatment does not require any incisions or general anesthesia and usually takes less than an hour. During the procedure, a small amount of Varithena is administered through a catheter or by direct injection into the problem vein. The foam causes the vein to collapse and blood flow shifts to nearby healthy veins. Patients may resume some activities on the same day but should avoid heavy exercise for one week.
VenaSeal
The VenaSeal procedure is a minimally invasive approach that uses a medical adhesive to close a problem vein. It is a non-tumescent, non-thermal, non-sclerosant therapy for venous reflux. This procedure improves patient comfort and many patients return to normal activities immediately. There is no need for multiple needle sticks during the procedure and this approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury when treating the small saphenous vein. Patients also experience minimal-to-no bruising after the VenaSeal procedure.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS)
Also known as Endovenous Chemical Ablation, this procedure’s purpose is to eliminate varicose veins that are hidden from the naked eye and can only seen by ultrasound. A chemical irritant, called a sclerosant, is injected into the vein while the doctor observes the injection process on the ultrasound screen. The sclerosant damages the lining of the vein wall, collapses the vein, and eventually leads to the body reabsorbing the destroyed vein.
Also known as VNUS Closure, Venefit and ClosureFast, this minimally invasive procedure is used for the treatment of varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insuffiency (CVI). Performed in our office using just local anesthesia, the tiny ClosureFast catheter is inserted into the affected leg. A tiny burst of radiofrequency energy causes the vein wall to shrink and collapse. The vein is sealed and “closed” when the physician withdraws the catheter. After the diseased vein is sealed shut, the blood is naturally re-routed to healthy veins. Because of the consistent level of heat delivered by the Venefit procedure, the patient experiences less bruising and a quicker recovery period than alternative laser energy ablations.
Varithena
Varithena is an injectable foam treatment for venous reflux that reduces the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins. This vein therapy was created to specifically treat problems with the great saphenous vein and its surrounding system, including twisted veins, veins above and below the knee, and veins previously treated with other methods.
Varithena treatment does not require any incisions or general anesthesia and usually takes less than an hour. During the procedure, a small amount of Varithena is administered through a catheter or by direct injection into the problem vein. The foam causes the vein to collapse and blood flow shifts to nearby healthy veins. Patients may resume some activities on the same day but should avoid heavy exercise for one week.
VenaSeal
The VenaSeal procedure is a minimally invasive approach that uses a medical adhesive to close a problem vein. It is a non-tumescent, non-thermal, non-sclerosant therapy for venous reflux. This procedure improves patient comfort and many patients return to normal activities immediately. There is no need for multiple needle sticks during the procedure and this approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury when treating the small saphenous vein. Patients also experience minimal-to-no bruising after the VenaSeal procedure.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS)
Also known as Endovenous Chemical Ablation, this procedure’s purpose is to eliminate varicose veins that are hidden from the naked eye and can only seen by ultrasound. A chemical irritant, called a sclerosant, is injected into the vein while the doctor observes the injection process on the ultrasound screen. The sclerosant damages the lining of the vein wall, collapses the vein, and eventually leads to the body reabsorbing the destroyed vein.
Surgical Treatment
Ambulatory Phlebectomy (Removal of Individual Varicose Veins)
Also known as Micro-Phlebectomy, this minimally invasive surgical technique is used to remove bulging varicose veins just under the skin. With the use of local anesthetic, the abnormal vein is extracted through a tiny incision or incisions with a special set of precision instruments. The micro-incisions are so small that they seldom require a stitch. Within just a few short weeks of treatment, patients are amazed how good their legs look with the “ropey” veins gone. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with sclerotherapy as needed.
Also known as Micro-Phlebectomy, this minimally invasive surgical technique is used to remove bulging varicose veins just under the skin. With the use of local anesthetic, the abnormal vein is extracted through a tiny incision or incisions with a special set of precision instruments. The micro-incisions are so small that they seldom require a stitch. Within just a few short weeks of treatment, patients are amazed how good their legs look with the “ropey” veins gone. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with sclerotherapy as needed.
Treatment for Spider Veins
Also known as “roadmap veins” or telangiectasias, spider veins are tiny superficial blood vessels often found on the calves, thighs and ankles. Typically cosmetic in nature, spider veins are generally not considered a health risk; however, patients can experience symptoms such as itching, burning and achiness in the affected area, and they will worsen if left untreated. Factors like heredity, pregnancy, prolonged standing or sitting, trauma or pressure, and hormonal changes all contribute to the development of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard in treating cosmetic spider veins. Using a tiny needle, a solution is injected into both large and small spider veins, causing the vein walls to swell, collapse and fade away within a few weeks. Depending on the severity of the spider veins, 3-5 treatments per affected area may be required for optimal results. Patients are required to wear compression hose for a period of time after each treatment session, but can resume normal activities almost immediately.
Compression Stockings
Our staff is trained in the professional fitting of prescription-grade compression stockings, as patients are required to wear compression stockings before and after varicose vein treatment, and after spider vein treatment. Also, most insurance providers require candidates for vein treatment to wear prescription-grade stockings for a period of time to see if your symptoms improve. Generally, most vein procedures require the wearing of stockings for approximately two weeks post-treatment.
Also known as “roadmap veins” or telangiectasias, spider veins are tiny superficial blood vessels often found on the calves, thighs and ankles. Typically cosmetic in nature, spider veins are generally not considered a health risk; however, patients can experience symptoms such as itching, burning and achiness in the affected area, and they will worsen if left untreated. Factors like heredity, pregnancy, prolonged standing or sitting, trauma or pressure, and hormonal changes all contribute to the development of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard in treating cosmetic spider veins. Using a tiny needle, a solution is injected into both large and small spider veins, causing the vein walls to swell, collapse and fade away within a few weeks. Depending on the severity of the spider veins, 3-5 treatments per affected area may be required for optimal results. Patients are required to wear compression hose for a period of time after each treatment session, but can resume normal activities almost immediately.
Compression Stockings
Our staff is trained in the professional fitting of prescription-grade compression stockings, as patients are required to wear compression stockings before and after varicose vein treatment, and after spider vein treatment. Also, most insurance providers require candidates for vein treatment to wear prescription-grade stockings for a period of time to see if your symptoms improve. Generally, most vein procedures require the wearing of stockings for approximately two weeks post-treatment.