Varicose Vein Treatments at Memphis Vascular Center
What are varicose veins?
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Varicose veins affect one out of two people age 50 and older, and 15 to 25 percent of all adults. Venous insufficiency or reflux is an abnormal vascular condition, with a decreased return of blood from the veins in the leg that go back up to the heart and pooling of blood in the veins. Normally, valves in the vein close to keep blood from flowing backward with gravity towards your feet. When the valves in the vein become weak and don’t close properly, they allow blood to flow backward, or reflux. Varicose veins are bulging veins that occur when the valves stop working correctly and are a result of dilation under pressure. They become enlarged, thickened, and become tortuous. The most common cause of varicose veins is reflux within the greater saphenous vein in the thigh, which leads to blood flowing backward causing visible varicose veins below.
In addition to the unsightly visual appearance of varicose veins, the condition can be quite painful. Varicose veins don’t go away… in fact, they get worse and/or more numerous over time. Delaying treatment can also lead to more serious complications, including inflammation, blood clots, skin ulcers, bleeding and deep vein thrombosis. That’s why its worth getting varicose veins treated now… before the problem gets worse.
What is the best treatment for varicose veins? Fortunately, there are new, minimally invasive and FDA-approved treatments. Performed on an outpatient bases, these procedures are safe and effective with minimal risk and little to no downtime.
Our vascular specialists treat varicose veins using several different treatment approaches. Call Memphis Vascular Center at 901-683-1890 today to schedule your consultation.
Memphis Vascular Center is the region’s most experienced vein clinic
We were the first nationally certified varicose vein and vascular testing and treatment center in Memphis, and this first accredited varicose vein treatment center. Experience matters, and you can be confident in both our skills and with the recommendations we provide.
What type of doctor is best for treating varicose veins? An interventional radiologist is one of the most highly trained doctors in medicine, undergoing a minimum of 12-14 years of medical education. Using imaging to guide procedures, an interventional radiologist specializes in treating disease with minimally invasive techniques.
Your visit to Memphis Vascular Center in Germantown, TN
At our vein center, we know your time is valuable and we always promise to see you within 15 minutes of your scheduled appointment time. When you schedule an appointment at our office for your varicose vein treatments, you will have a chance a talk to our board certified interventional radiologist, Dr. Roberts about your leg pain and symptoms.
After you have discussed the issues you are having he will decide if you need to have an ultrasound performed. This is done in our office the same day. One of our nationally credentialed ultrasound techs will perform the ultrasound on you. Once that is completed, Dr. Roberts will also scan you with an ultrasound and show you the images. He will go over your varicose vein treatment options. You will also sit down with the nurse assigned to you and get more information, as well as answer any more questions you may have before proceeding with scheduling treatment(s). Our goal is that at the end of the visit, you feel well-informed of the vein disease you are experiencing and have a good understanding of how we plan to treat these vascular issues. We want you to be completely comfortable with your treatment plan.
Contact Memphis Vascular Center about your Varicose Veins at 901-683-1890 for more information!
First Accredited Vein Center in Memphis. Be treated by someone you can trust
Varicose Veins Are Common!
Chronic venous disease of the legs is one of the most common conditions affecting people.
- Almost half of the U.S. population has venous disease—50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men. Of the people with venous disease, 20 to 25 percent of the women and 10 to 15 percent of men will have visible varicose veins.
- Varicose veins affect one out of two people age 50 and older, and 15 to 25 percent of all adults.
Risk Factors of Varicose Veins
Risk factors include
- age
- family history
- female gender
- pregnancy – Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies, can accelerate the worsening symptoms and visual appearance of varicose veins.
Symptoms of Varicose veins
Symptoms caused by venous reflux and varicose veins include:
- aching leg pain
- fatigue
- restless legs and leg heaviness
- symptoms worsen throughout the day
Many people find they need to sit down later in the day and raise their legs to relieve these symptoms. In more severe cases, venous insufficiency or reflux can cause skin to get darker or wounds to open up, which may be very difficult to treat. One percent of adults over age 60 have chronic ulcers or wounds.
Even if you cannot see any varicose veins by looking at your legs, you can still have symptoms of venous disease. Other abnormal veins, such as spider veins, reticular veins, or varicose veins that are enlarged and put pressure on surrounding nerves.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for Varicose Veins
An interventional radiologist is a doctor who specializes in performing minimally invasive procedures using imaging for guidance. Our interventional radiologist, Dr. Roberts will use ultrasound to assess the vein including vein valve function, and venous blood flow changes, which can assist in diagnosing venous disease. He will then look at the deep and superficial venous systems to determine whether the veins are open and to pinpoint any reflux. This will help determine if the you are a candidate for the following vein treatments:
Endovenous Ablation Treatment (click for more information)
Venaseal (Glue) treatments (click for more information)
Insurance
In most cases, your treatment will be covered by insurance, as are outpatient consultations and diagnostic testing procedures. We also offer cash pay options for those who wish to remove varicose veins privately (without insurance). In fact, we’ll work directly with your doctor and/or insurance company to help you understand your options.
Surgical Treatment of Veins
Traditionally, vein stripping was the treatment for varicose veins, but these procedures can require a long and painful recovery. Studies have shown that this technique can lead to a high recurrence rate.
Other Treatments for Varicose Veins
Phlebectomy and injection sclerotherapy are also used. Phlebectomy is performed on abnormal veins that are not associated with saphenous reflux. The abnormal vein is located and by performing several small incisions, is removed using a special set of tools. The procedure is performed using lidocaine to numb the skin, and typically takes under an hour. Recovery is quick, and most patients do not need to change their regular activity after phlebectomy.
Injection sclerotherapy can also be used to treat some varicose and nearly all spider veins. An extremely small needle is used to inject the vein with a solution that causes the vein to shrink.
Contact Memphis Vascular Center about your Varicose Veins at 901-683-1890 for more information!
Or schedule an appointment online HERE.
For more facts about varicose vein treatments and vascular disease please follow the below link.
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