Vein Center
Nearly 40 million Americans have varicose and spider veins, the blue, bulging, gnarly veins in the legs that show through the skin. Not only do they look terrible, they also can have a significant impact your health and quality of life.
Vascular surgeons at Cooper University Hospital offer several treatment options that can banish these veins forever.
Leg Veins Defy Gravity and Form Varicose Veins
There are three types of veins in the legs: deep, perforating and superficial. Deep veins lie in groups of muscles, literally deep within the body, close to the bones. Superficial veins are on top, right beneath the skin. Perforating veins connect the superficial and deep veins. All three work together to bring blood back to the heart.
Leg veins are especially vulnerable to venous disorders because the blood in them flows upward, defying gravity. To keep blood moving in the right direction, one-way valves within the veins open and close. When legs are relaxed, valves close. When legs are moving, valves open.
Too much pressure on the legs stretches the superficial veins, weakens their walls, and causes the valves to stop functioning properly. Blood pools within the superficial veins, causing them to bulge and twist.
Varicose and Spider Veins Affect Everyone
Women are most susceptible to varicose and spider veins, especially after multiple pregnancies, yet men get them too. The risk factors are:
- Pregnancy
- Heredity
- Hormones
- Aging
- Activity
- Weight gain
- Prior injuries and illnesses
Cooper’s vascular surgeons work with each patient to identify a treatment plan that best meets their individual needs and expectations. Some people require a combination of procedures before reaching the results they want.
Varicose Veins are a Medical Issue
Since the dilation of small groups of blood vessels near the skin’s surface is the primary cause of spider veins, they’re typically considered a cosmetic issue.
Varicose veins on the other hand can cause real medical problems:
- Pain, throbbing, fatigue, restlessness
- Skin rashes, redness, itching, sores
- Phlebitis, vein inflammation
- Thrombosis, blood clots that enlarge the vein
- Venous stasis ulcers, enlarged veins not draining properly
- In rare cases, varicose veins can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), sudden, severe swelling in the legs. DVT is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention.
Fellowship Trained Vascular Surgeons Provide Comprehensive Care
The vascular surgeons at Cooper University Hospital make sure unsightly veins are your only problem before making any treatment recommendations.
Diagnosis of venous disease involves having a complete physical and talking with the physician about your health, lifestyle, family history and how the varicose veins affect your quality of life.
A color flow duplex ultrasound, the gold standard in the diagnosis of venous disease, is used to confirm diagnosis. Painless and noninvasive, the duplex ultrasound provides an accurate assessment of the size and shape of blood vessels as well as a functional evaluation of blood flow. The test is performed during the initial visit.
Treatment Options at the Cooper Vein Center
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is performed on an out-patient basis, and requires no incisions. A tiny catheter powered by radio-frequency energy delivers heat to the vein wall, which then shrinks and seals the vein. Patients who undergo RFA closures typically resume activities within one day.
Endovenous Laser Therapy (ELVT) is used most frequently and is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an outpatient office. The physician uses ultrasound guidance of laser energy to collapse and seal off the damaged vein. No surgical incisions are made and the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Patients are back on their feet immediately and resume all normal activities within a week.
Phlebectomy is used when the largest varicose veins become swollen and inflamed. Physicians remove individual varicose vein clusters from the leg through a series of small incisions. This minimally invasive procedure is done under local anesthesia using micro instruments and magnification. The incisions are so small no stitches are required. Patients are back on their feet immediately and resume all normal activities within a week.
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that involves injecting a solution directly into the vein, usually the smallest veins. The treated vein will fade over time and the pain associated with the problem is reduced significantly after a few weeks. Multiple injections may be required and the number of veins injected in one session varies, depending on the size and location of the veins and the patient's overall medical condition. Recovery from the procedure takes about five days.
Compression Stockings are elastic hosiery that support the veins and stop blood from flowing backward. They can help heal skin sores and prevent varicose veins from returning. Patients may be required to wear compression stockings to relieve pain and swelling and prevent future problems.
Insurance
Health insurance generally covers procedures considered “medically necessary” and not those regarded “cosmetic.” The staff of the Cooper Vein Center will provide you with appropriate documentation to submit to your insurer.
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