Varicose Vein Treatments

If you are suffering with varicose veins, restless legs, or have heaviness in your legs, you could be suffering from venous reflux disease and may benefit from therapy at the Vein and Wellness Center.

Dr. Kelly O’Donnell is a board certified vein specialist providing pain-free, minimally invasive solutions on Kent Island. She has been recognized by her peers in What’s Up Magazine as one of the Annapolis area’s top docs for varicose vein treatment.

A Modern Approach

Many patients have relatives that have had vein stripping for their varicose veins, and believe that the modern treatment may also be painful and complex. When these patients finally seek treatment, the most common comment following a procedure is “that was easier than going to the dentist”.

The treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency is not what it was several years ago. Once a painful procedure is now a quick and simple in office procedure that provides instant relief for patients suffering from the symptoms of venous reflux disease.

VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENTS ARE COVERED BY MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES.

What is Venous Reflux Disease?

Venous reflux disease is a progressive disorder caused by insufficiencies in the venous system of the lower extremities. Patients with this condition have damaged or “leaky” valves which prevent the proper flow of blood.

Over time, this damages the veins, contributing to varicose veins, pain or swelling in the legs and ankles, and other painful or uncomfortable symptoms.

Any patient with ankle swelling and a family history of varicose veins should be screened for venous disease with duplex ultrasound as the swelling can often be minimized or eliminated with simple in-office treatment. These patients commonly take diuretics or fluid pills unnecessarily to reduce the fluid accumulation.

Do you have Venous Reflux Disease?

An estimated 25 million men and women in the United States suffer from venous reflux disease. The single most significant contributing factor is family history. Other contributing factors are excessive weight, occupations requiring long periods of standing or sitting, and pregnancy.

Patients often report symptoms of:

• Aching or heaviness in the legs
• Throbbing or cramping at night
• Burning or itching over varicose veins and bulging spider veins
• Difficulty tolerating long car rides or plane flights
• Ankle swelling
• Restless leg syndrome
• Patients may or may not have varicose veins and some patients will experience skin changes or skin ulcers.

Treatment for Varicose Veins & Venous Reflux

Dr. O’Donnell uses the latest technique and technology to treat vein disorders such as varicose veins and venous reflux disease including laser and radio-frequency (VNUS) closure procedures, phlebectomy, and sclerotherapy.

The best results are often obtained using combined therapies. An individual treatment plan is created using the ultrasound venous map obtained during the first appointment with the physician. Even patients that have had previous vein treatment may still have diseased veins that may benefit from additional treatment.

See More Pictures of Varicose Vein Treatment
*We strive to include before and after photos of our own patients, but out of respect for individual’s privacy, this is not always possible. Additional before and after photos of actual patients can be viewed during your personal consultation.

Endovenous Closure of Incompetent Veins

Incompetent lower extremity veins, or veins with leaky valves are now treated with a minimally invasive procedure called endovenous closure. This is a technique that eliminates the diseased vein with either laser or radiofrequency (VNUS) heat energy.

The diseased veins are not useful and will continue to worsen if left untreated. Bloodflow is automatically redirected into the healthy veins, and the symptoms of aching and heaviness are usually resolved within one day. Ankle swelling, if present , lessens over several days to one month.

How is the endovenous closure procedure performed?
After numbing the skin, a tiny catheter is placed into the affected vein, most commonly the great or small saphenous vein. The catheter delivers heat to the vein wall, causing it to shrink and seal closed. Once the affected vein is closed, blood automatically circulates through the body by other healthy veins.

Compression stockings should be worn after treatment to provide additional healing. Most patients will experience immediate relief and be able to resume normal activities in the same day.

Additional treatments with sclerotherapy or laser for remaining spider veins may be desired to achieve the cosmetic goals of the patient. If sclerotherapy is attempted prior to treating the underlying disorder, less than satisfactory results are often reported because the source of excessive pressure has not be eliminated.

Phlebectomy of Varicose Veins

Sometimes the endovascular closure will not reduce the size of large varicose veins and removal of the veins is a better option. A very common misconception is that phlebectomy, or the removal a varicose veins, is vein stripping. Varicose veins are the large bulging veins immediately under the skin. Removal is very simple and produces the best cosmetic result while eliminating the discomfort caused by these unsightly veins.

In contrast, the old vein stripping procedure was removal of the deeper veins requiring general anesthesia and prolonged painful recovery. Sometimes the more superficial veins were also removed.

Phlebectomy is performed under local anesthesia using small (2-3 mm) punctures and a hook to remove small segments of the protruding veins. This technique produces excellent cosmetic results and resolves the aching often produced by the varicose veins.

Spider Vein Treatment

The small purple red veins close the the skin surface are called spider veins due their spider appearance. They are most effectively treated with sclerotherapy, the injection of substances that irritate the inside of the vein in a chemical fashion, encouraging the vein to stay closed.

Multiple treatments are usually required to obtain excellent cosmetic results, but fading should be noted after each treatment session. The final results of each injection session are seen within a month. Laser therapy for the smallest spider veins is also effective. Learn More

Improve Your Quality of Life
Venous reflux disease and varicose veins can negatively impact your life, making you change your routines and habits without even realizing it. Patients often report avoiding activities that require prolonged, idle sitting and standing. It is time to stop suffering from the chronic pain and discomfort. Treatment is quick, painless, and in most cases, covered by insurance.

The Vein & Wellness Center is conveniently located on Kent Island, just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis.

Contact the Vein & Wellness Center to schedule your consultation with board certified vein specialist, Dr. Kelly O’Donnell.