Varicose Veins
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Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates
Vascular Surgeons located in Vero Beach, FL & Fort Pierce, FL
Most people want to get rid of their varicose veins for cosmetic reasons. But varicose veins are more than an embarrassing problem; they’re the visible sign of underlying venous disease. At Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates, Pranay Ramdev, MD, FACS, has extensive experience safely and effectively eliminating varicose veins, treating the underlying condition and restoring healthy circulation to your legs. To schedule an appointment, call one of the offices in Vero Beach or Fort Pierce, Florida, or use the online booking feature.
Varicose Veins Q & A
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are swollen, dark blue or purple blood vessels that you can see and feel as they bulge up from beneath your skin. These twisted and tangled-appearing veins typically show up on your legs, where they have a big impact on how you look.
What causes varicose veins?
Your veins are equipped with valves that open to let blood flow toward your heart and close to stop it from going in the wrong direction. In your legs, these valves are vital, as blood goes against gravity on its way up your legs.
When a valve weakens or fails, blood flows backward (refluxes), a condition called venous insufficiency. As the refluxing blood reaches the next healthy valve, it accumulates in that area of the vein, weakening the vein wall and causing varicose veins.
What symptoms develop due to varicose veins?
You may not have any symptoms. Many people, however, experience:
- Leg pain
- Heavy-feeling legs
- Swollen legs
- Restless legs
- Itchy legs
- Burning or throbbing sensations
Venous insufficiency can also cause thickened and discolored skin, a skin rash, or an open wound on your lower leg or ankle called a venous stasis ulcer.
Leg wounds such as venous stasis ulcers don’t heal on their own. Without professional treatment at Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates, leg ulcers continue to enlarge and put you at risk of developing an infection.
How are varicose veins treated?
Your treatment may begin with compression stockings, elevating your legs, and lifestyle changes to support healthy blood flow, such as losing weight.
As a specialist in minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Ramdev may recommend treatments that are done in the office, including sclerotherapy or radiofrequency ablation.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy treats your varicose veins by injecting a medication that makes the veins collapse and turn into scar tissue. As your body reabsorbs the scar tissue, the treated veins disappear. You may need 2-4 sclerotherapy treatments to achieve your desired results.
Venefit™ radiofrequency ablation
During a Venefit procedure, Dr. Ramdev makes a tiny incision and inserts a catheter into your blood vessels. Then he uses ultrasound imaging to guide the catheter to the end of the targeted varicose vein.
After injecting an anesthetic and saline solution to prevent pain and protect the surrounding tissues, Dr. Ramdev slowly withdraws the Venefit catheter while sending radiofrequency energy into the vein wall. Heat from the treatment collapses the vein, which is reabsorbed by your body.
Along with eliminating your varicose veins, sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation also treat venous insufficiency and alleviate your symptoms. After both procedures, your body naturally reroutes blood through a healthy vein, so normal circulation is restored.
If you want to get rid of ugly varicose veins, call Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates or schedule an appointment online.
