Varicose Veins

Vascular Solutions

Vein Specialists located in Charlotte, NC

Chances are you want to get rid of your varicose veins because they affect your appearance. These bulging veins are more than embarrassing; they’re often painful, and worse, they put you at risk for serious complications. Board-certified vascular surgeon Peter Ford, MD, FACS, RPVI, at Vascular Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializes in venous problems. As a vein expert, Dr. Ford has a long history of safely and successfully eliminating varicose veins. Don’t wait to schedule a thorough examination. Call the office or request an appointment online today.

704-544-7535

Varicose Veins Q & A

What causes varicose veins?

As the veins in your legs carry blood back toward your heart, they depend on one-way valves that stop the blood from going in the wrong direction. When the valves in your leg veins are not working properly, blood can flow backward or “reflux” down the vein. This results in increased pressure in the vein.

Increased pressure in leg veins is one of the main reasons varicose veins can develop. Another risk factor for varicose vein formation is the weakening of the vein wall, which can occur secondary to aging or genetic predisposition.

Varicose veins are abnormally dilated veins that develop close to the skin surface. As the varicose veins become engorged with blood, they may bulge through the skin’s surface and take on a twisted, dark purple and blue appearance.

What symptoms develop due to varicose veins?

Some patients with varicose veins never experience symptoms. However, many people with varicose veins can develop symptoms, including:

Pain
Aching
Fatigue
Cramping
Restlessness
Itching
Burning
Swelling in the lower leg or ankle
Leg wounds (especially around the ankle)

Untreated venous reflux may cause the skin around your ankle to turn reddish-brown and become leathery. In severe cases, venous reflux can cause serious complications such as venous ulcers.

How are varicose veins diagnosed?

After reviewing your medical history and symptoms, and conducting a thorough exam, your Vascular Solutions provider may perform a duplex ultrasound, which provides a detailed image of your veins and shows the blood flow. This diagnostic test is done on-site in the practice’s vascular lab, which is fully accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

What treatment options do I have for varicose veins?

The team at Vascular Solutions offers several treatments for varicose veins, recommending the best option based on the severity of the problem and your overall health. The first line of treatment typically includes elevating your leg, losing weight if needed, and wearing compression stockings.

When you need more than conservative therapy, you may be a candidate for vein procedures.

Conceptually, some vein procedures work indirectly, by reducing the pressure in the varicose veins, and other vein procedures work by directly targeting the varicose veins. It is very common for people with vein problems to benefit from both strategies.

The following procedures can be used to alleviate symptoms of varicose veins:

Closurefast®

Closurefast, also known as radiofrequency ablation (or venous closure) is a minimally-invasive procedure that reduces pressure in varicose veins.

ClosureFast uses radiofrequency energy to deliver controlled heat energy to seal and close the target vein. After the target vein is closed, blood naturally reroutes to healthy veins. The treated vein slowly heals and contracts over the course of a few weeks. The net result is less pressure and fewer symptoms in downstream varicose veins.

VenaSeal®

The VenaSeal procedure involves injecting a proprietary medical adhesive into the target vein. This powerful adhesive immediately seals and closes the vein, which reduces pressure in varicose veins in the lower portion of the leg. This procedure is painless and offers an immediate return to work and sporting activities.

Varithena® procedure

Your provider at Vascular Solutions injects Varithena into the target vein, where the microfoam expands to reach the surrounding vein walls. The medication makes the vein collapse, contract, and gradually get reabsorbed into the surrounding tissues. Varithena is an extremely versatile product that can be used to treat saphenous veins, saphenous vein branches, and varicose veins. Because the product is a viscous foam, it can easily track through bends in the vein, and can safely treat veins close to the skin surface.

Phlebectomy

During phlebectomy, your Vascular Solutions provider makes tiny pinholes in the skin and then uses a specialized tool to reach in, hook, and directly remove your varicose veins.

You can eliminate uncomfortable varicose veins with the help of the professionals at Vascular Solutions. Call the office to schedule an appointment or request online today.