Q. What are varicose veins?
A. A varicose vein is a failed vein. The function of your veins is to channel blood back to the heart. The larger veins have valves which direct the flow of blood. When a valve fails, blood can accumulate under pressure, engorging and distorting the vein. Varicose veins appear as either bulging and rope-like or small and thread-like. The veins most commonly affected are those in the legs and feet.

Varicose veins can result in aching, tired and swollen legs; create a burning, throbbing or itching sensation; and may cause muscle cramps and a general discomfort in your legs. Varicose veins are vascular disorder requiring treatment for medical reasons.

Q. What causes varicose veins?
A. There are several risk factors for varicose veins including age, gender, family history and pregnancy. Most patients who suffer from varicose veins have a family history of the condition. Pregnancy is one of the most common factors leading to varicose veins and can accelerate the worsening of the condition. Another factor for women is due to the hormonal changes that specifically affect them. Other contributing factors include standing, walking, being over-weight and/or trauma to the leg.

Q. What are spider veins?
A. Spider veins are a common mild variation of varicose veins. Spider veins appear to be hormonally induced and are associated with pregnancy and menstruation. Although spider veins are not usually symptomatic, the accompanying reticular veins, found deeper in the skin, often cause discomfort. Many women have a combination of both varicose and spider veins.

Q. How will my condition be treated?
A. Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) is a quick, minimally invasive laser treatment for varicose veins that requires no hospitalization and no complicated surgery. The entire procedure, start to finish, takes about one hour and causes minimal to no pain. Performed under ultrasound guidance, EVLT uses laser energy to treat the underlying cause of varicose veins by closing of the vein to any future blood flow. Your body then naturally uses other healthy veins to return the blood to the heart. There is minimal risk with EVLT. Major complications are very rare. Various levels of discomfort can occur, as well as some bruising.

Sclerotherapy is often a better treatment for spider veins. This simple procedure involves a series of injections of medication into the veins. The injections cause a shrinking and gradual closing of the vein. Sclerotherapy gives more predictable results, is less painful and less expensive than laser treatments. Sclerotherapy is an in-office procedure and usually requires several treatments.

Q. Will I need to be hospitalized or take time off from work?
A. Treatment is on an outpatient basis during convenient office visits. You can resume most activities shortly after each session.

Q. How do I choose a physician?
A. As with all medical procedures, side effects and complications are possible. It is important to seek treatment from an experienced physician. Varicose vein disease can be very complex and each patient is unique. Choose a physician that is experienced in treating the entire spectrum of vein disease from spider veins, to large ropey varicose veins to leg ulcerations.