Vein Care: Getting Started

Approximately 1 in 5 adult Americans suffer from venous insufficiency, the disease that causes varicose veins and other symptoms that can impact your quality of life. The treatments available at Genesis Laser & Vein are designed to not only treat the symptoms of varicose vein disease, but also address the disease process causing these bothersome veins. This can, in turn, help diminish the many related symptoms. We take a disease management approach to this problem, which is your best option for successful treatment of venous disease.

How do I know if I have vein disease?

You may have vein disease if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Bulging veins
  • Leg aching or pain
  • Heaviness/tiredness in the legs
  • Burning, tingling or itching sensations
  • Muscle cramping
  • Restless legs
  • Ankle swelling/throbbing
  • Tender areas around veins

Left untreated your symptoms can progress to:

  • Skin changes such as a purple discoloration of the foot and ankle
  • Inflammation
  • Blood clots
  • Brown discoloration in the lower legs
  • Ankle sores and skin ulcers
  • Bleeding

What is the process for beginning treatment?

When you come to Genesis Laser & Vein our first task is to determine if you have venous disease, and if so what the best treatment plan is for you. We will determine if you may have venous disease through a visual exam and a review of your symptoms. If venous disease appears to be a contributing factor to your problems, we will schedule you for a diagnostic reflux study to determine the severity of your disease and the location of the vessels causing the problem. If the venous study confirms a disease process is present, our physicians will make a treatment recommendation. Our nursing staff will then send this plan to your insurance company for treatment approval. After diagnosis is confirmed and approval received, you will be scheduled to begin treatment.

What are my treatment options?

Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following treatment options:

VenaCure

The VenaCure EVLT laser ablation is an in-office treatment that uses targeted laser energy to seal incompetent veins shut. It is normally the first treatment you will need if you have vein disease as it will help close the larger faulty vessels that are the source of the smaller incompetent vessels often known as spider veins. The VenaCure EVLT is safe, fast and effective, with a more than 95% success rate, and is typically covered by insurance.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a treatment using a tiny needle to inject veins with a chemical sclerosant to collapse or seal shut the vein. The number of treatments needed will vary and several injections will be done at each treatment. Sclerotherapy is most successful when done after underlying larger vessels are treated.

Phlebectomy

Phlebectomy is a treatment where veins that are visible through the skin are removed through tiny punctures in the skin. This procedure is normally done after laser ablation has been completed. It is chosen when there is a reason that the potential other options are not possible.

Compression Therapy

Compression therapy is a treatment option for symptom control in clients with chronic venous disease. It is also a key component to the successful treatment of venous disease. Many insurance companies will require you to try compression hose therapy prior to authorizing a more aggressive treatment.

What can I expect from my vein disease treatment?

Remember, venous insufficiency is a progressive, chronic disease. Our treatments are designed to manage the symptoms of this disease and help you maintain the best quality of life possible. With vein treatments your symptoms can improve, plus you can prevent more extensive disease from developing and more serious complications from occurring. No treatment will cure this disease, but with proper medical treatment you can expect to help control the many symptoms that are associated with vein disease.

We offer a full physician evaluation to determine if vein disease is a problem for you. We also offer a complimentary nurse consultation so you can learn more about vein disease and if you could potentially benefit from treatment.