Speciality Care of Varicose Veins

When should I see a vascular specialist about my veins?

Mild varicose veins or spider veins with no associated symptoms or skin changes probably do not need treatment beyond stockings. However, if you have developed any of the more severe conditions associated with varicose veins, such as rapid enlargement of the veins, skin changes, pain, aching, throbbing, swelling, or skin changes, you should contact us at The Vein Center at Commonwealth Surgical Associates.

Although self-help measures can help you ease the pain of varicose veins and reflux and may prevent them from getting worse, if you are concerned about how your veins look and feel and self-care measures have not lessened your concern, feel free to call us at Commonwealth Surgical Vein Center, even if you do not have any of the more severe problems associated with varicose veins. We will be happy to answer any of your questions.

What can the Specialists at Commonwealth Surgical Vein Center do to help?

Comprehensive Review and Evaluation:

Since there are many factors which may influence the development of varicose veins, a comprehensive evaluation must start with a review of your entire medical status. After this review, a detailed physical exam will be performed focusing not only on your veins, but on your entire vascular system. After your complete evaluation, some testing may be recommended. Most of these tests can be done in the [ICAVL] certified vascular laboratory in our office.

Testing:

• Venous ultrasound with reflux evaluation. This is a painless ultrasound test that examines your leg veins. We make sure there are no clots in the deep or superficial veins, and then examine the function of the valves to see if they are working properly or if there is reflux causing the varicose veins. This test takes about 20-30 minutes per leg.
  
• Non-invasive arterial testing. If there is any question on your physical examination about problems with your arterial circulation, we will make sure your blood supply is adequate. This test usually involves measuring the blood pressure in your thighs, calves, and ankles. We also use a doppler ultrasound machine to look directly at the arteries and their flow.
  
  

Other tests which we might recommend may be done in other specialized settings including:

• Magnetic Resonance Venography. This test is a type of MRI which examines the veins and their flow. It is particularly useful for examining veins in the pelvis which cannot be seen by ultrasound.
  
•  Contrast Venography. In specialized circumstances, we may recommend this test which is done as an outpatient procedure in the hospital. It uses contrast material (dye) injected though a catheter, usually in the groin, to visualize veins directly and sometimes to perform more invasive catheter-based therapy of abnormal veins.
  

Based upon the results of the evaluation and testing, we will meet with you and discuss all of your options for treatment.