Varicose veins are caused by many factors including heredity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, being overweight, standing or sitting for long periods of time, advancing age or injury to the vein. The main underlying cause is elevated venous pressure from failed valves and backward venous blood flow.

Symptoms may include the following: pain, aching, or burning in the legs, swelling of the legs or ankles, leg cramps or sores, itching of the skin around the vein, and open wounds such as skin ulcers around the ankle.

There are many treatment options for varicose veins. Along with the minimally invasive endovenous laser treatment, there are several more invasive alternatives. They include ligation and stripping, or a phlebectomy. Generally, the source of the high venous pressure is treated first with the endovenous laser, followed by direct removal of any remaining varicose veins. Ligation and stripping is the most invasive treatment, and is rarely performed.

The endovenous laser treatment, using the Dornier D940 laser is a safe and highly effective treatment for varicose veins. This procedure is usually performed in a physician’s office, typically using local anesthesia. You can usually return to work the next day, with minimal post-procedure discomfort.

The procedure usually lasts for about 30 minutes.

No. The endovenous laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure which can be performed in your doctor’s office.

Your will be encouraged to walk immediately after the completion of the procedure.

You can return to work the day after the procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

The symptoms should begin to disappear immediately following the procedure.

No. Due to the small size of the catheter insertion point, most patients do not experience any scarring at all.

Yes. Most insurance companies cover the procedure. Your physician can discuss your eligibility with you when discussing your treatment plan.

Yes, most commonly recurrences are due to growth of new veins in the groin after invasive ligation and stripping, or from untreated sources of venous reflux (high pressure).

Spider veins are thready skin veins that appear on the face and legs as lines, branches, or clusters. They are usually flat with the skin’s surface, and may appear red, blue, or purple.

Spider veins also occur due to aging, pregnancy, hormonal changes, obesity, and prolonged sitting or standing. The underlying problem is elevated venous pressure.

The most common symptoms are itching and burning.

The most successful treatment includes foam sclerotherapy of feeding reticular veins along with surface laser treatment of the spider veins.

Since spider veins develop over many years from high pressure in the veins, it generally takes more than one session to eliminate them. Typically, 3-5 treatment sessions are necessary, spaced about a month apart.

Spider veins are considered cosmetic by Medicare and all insurance companies. Therefore, there is no insurance coverage for their treatment.