FAQ - Varicose Veins

Here's what patients most frequently ask about varicose veins...

• What are varicose veins?
• What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
• What causes varicose veins?
• Can varicose veins affect health in a negative way?
• What happens to circulation once veins are treated?
• Does the treatment hurt and are there side effects?
• Who is not a good candidate for treatment?
• Do the veins ever come back?
• Is an evaluation necessary?
• What are the fees and does insurance cover the cost?
• How do patients get started?

• What are varicose veins?

  The word “varicose” comes from the Latin word “varicosus” which means abnormally swollen. Varicose veins are diseased blood vessels that have become permanently swollen (enlarged), and can no longer efficiently carry blood back to the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins return blood back to the heart. Varicose veins can arise when this system gets backed up—almost like a traffic jam.
  
  

• What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

  Symptoms can include leg aching, throbbing, burning, itching, fullness, pressure, numbness or tingling, restlessness, and muscle cramping.
  
  

• What causes varicose veins?

  Heredity is the most common cause of varicose veins. Other factors that can cause or worsen varicose veins include pregnancy, obesity, estrogen medication, prolonged standing or sitting, a sedentary lifestyle, and injury to the legs.
  
  

• Can varicose veins affect health in a negative way?

  Most definitely! That is why treatment is so important. Left untreated, varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, inflammation (phlebitis), Thrombosis, skin ulcers that won’t heal, and, worst of all, dangerous blood clots. Unfortunately, varicose veins usually only get worse over the years, never better, and may eventually require major surgery.
  
  

• What happens to circulation once veins are treated?

  Varicose veins and spider veins are diseased and defective veins that are no longer working. Getting rid of them is not harmful. Because there are so many veins in the legs, the blood that would have flowed through a treated vein is now rerouted to stronger and healthier veins. The loss of diseased veins does not create a problem for the circulatory system. In fact, it is one of the best things patients can do for their health.
  
  

• Does the treatment hurt and are there side effects?

  Most treatments involve very little to no pain. Temporary bruising is the most frequent side effect. Serious side effects are possible with any medical procedure or medication, but compared to traditional hospital surgery for veins, serious side effects are extremely rare with our advanced techniques.
  
  

• Who is not a good candidate for treatment?

  Those suffering from a blood clot in the deep veins (determined during the Venous Duplex Scan), those suffering from arterial disease in the legs, and those who are not able to actively walk cannot have treatment. Also, patients should wait at least three months after pregnancy or major surgery before having treatment for varicose veins.
  
  

• Do the veins ever come back?

  After completing treatment, patients can enjoy healthier, more attractive, pain-free legs. The treated veins do not come back but because varicose vein disease can sometimes be a chronic condition, no treatment—not even surgery—can stop new veins from forming in the future. However, because the initial treatment is so thorough, any new veins tend to be less severe and are more easily dealt with. Periodic touch-up treatment can help patients enjoy their life free from problem veins.
  
  

• Is an evaluation necessary?

  In order for veins to be treated properly, the exact location of the venous reflux first needs to be identified. This is accomplished by an advanced ultrasound-imaging test called a Venous Duplex Scan, which creates a “map” of patients’ veins by pinpointing the exact location of the damaged valves. This important test is painless, non-invasive, takes about 30 minutes to perform, and is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans. Armed with this information, we can then determine the best treatment plan, estimated cost, and the anticipated outcome.
  
  

• What are the fees and does insurance cover the cost?

  Our fees are up to 75% less than traditional surgery. And because it is so important to peoples’ heath and well being to eliminate varicose veins, we try our best never to let cost stand in the way. Our goal is to minimize out-of-pocket expense. At the time of examination, we will explain the costs that patients’ can expect to pay for treatment. The majority of that cost is usually paid by insurance. We accept Medicare assignment and we bill most health insurance plans. If patients do not have health insurance, we offer special prompt-pay discount prices or convenient payment plans. We will explain these special programs during examinations.
  
  

• How do patients get started?

  By calling our office at 1.866.4NO.VEINS to schedule a Physician Consultation at a Vein Associates™ clinic near you.