Vein Disease Treatment

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VasCare helps with Vein Disease

VasCare Helps With Vein Disease

VasCare understands the challenges posed by venous disease, whether it’s the visible signs like spider veins or the discomfort of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. With our dedicated teams in Corpus Christi and Beaumont, VasCare provides comprehensive treatment for a spectrum of vein disease, ensuring relief and improved well-being for patients facing various venous conditions. Through minimally invasive treatments, we aim to restore your physical well-being, and confidence, allowing you to reclaim your life without being hindered by vein issues.

Vein Treatment

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What Is Vein Disease?

Vein disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the veins, the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood back to the heart. Common vein disease symptoms include spider veins, varicose veins, and chronic venous insufficiency. These conditions can manifest as visible abnormalities, such as twisted, swollen veins, or cause symptoms like pain, swelling, and skin changes.

Vein disease often result from weakened or damaged valves within the veins, leading to improper blood flow and pooling. While they can be challenging to live with due to both aesthetic concerns and discomfort, effective treatments are available to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

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Helping You Overcome Venous Disease

Types of Vein Disease

VasCare addresses venous diseases with tailored treatment plans, emphasizing both symptom management and long-term health outcomes for patients.

Varicose Veins

Characterized by twisted, bulging veins, often result from faulty valves leading to symptoms such as swelling, achiness, and restless leg syndrome, predominantly in the lower limbs.

Spider Veins

Though primarily a cosmetic concern, can indicate underlying venous issues and may cause discomfort like itching or burning, commonly affecting the legs.

Reticular Veins

Falling between spider and varicose veins in size, may also cause pain or discomfort, typically appearing on the backs of the knees, inside thighs, or around ankles.

Swelling Legs

Caused by edema from poor lymphatic function or venous reflux, can result in painful discomfort starting around the ankle bones and spreading to the lower legs and feet. Skin discoloration and redness are common consequences of untreated venous reflux or varicose veins, indicating inflammation and breakdown of red blood cells, although treatment can help alleviate symptoms over time.

Venous Ulcers

Venous wounds or stasis ulcers, require urgent attention and progressive therapy to prevent complications and promote healing.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Presents a serious risk, involving the formation of blood clots in deep veins, typically in the legs, leading to symptoms like leg pain and swelling. DVT poses the danger of pulmonary embolism if clots dislodge and travel through the body.

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Vein Disease Symptoms

Venous disease may result in a variety of symptoms. Signs may or may not include abnormal-looking veins, such as varicose veins that bulge on the surface of the skin, loss of hair on the lower legs and ankles, discoloration of the skin, redness, or irritation in the ankle and lower leg. The most severe sign of chronic vein disease is an open sore in the ankle or lower leg area. It is important to recognize potential symptoms of venous disease, which can include:

Pain

Vein disease often causes pain or discomfort, ranging from aching and throbbing to sharp or burning sensations. This pain may be localized around affected veins or may radiate to surrounding areas.

Swelling

Swelling, medically known as edema, is a frequent symptom of vein disease. It occurs when fluid accumulates in the tissues, typically around the ankles, calves, or feet. Swelling may worsen throughout the day, especially after prolonged standing or sitting.

Visible Changes

Visible changes in the veins are common symptoms of vein disease. These changes may include the development of spider veins (small, red or blue veins near the surface of the skin), varicose veins (twisted, bulging veins), or reticular veins (larger than spider veins but smaller than varicose veins).

Skin Discoloration

Vein disease can cause skin discoloration, often appearing as reddish-brown patches or areas of hyperpigmentation. This discoloration may be accompanied by itching, dryness, or other skin abnormalities, indicating underlying venous issues.

Vein Disease Treatments

Foam Sclerotherapy

VasCare offers a range of advanced treatments tailored to effectively address various types of vein disease, promoting relief and improving overall well-being for patients. Minimally invasive procedures are a cornerstone of VasCare’s approach, prioritizing patient comfort and rapid recovery. These procedures include traditional sclerotherapy or novel foam treatments such as Varithena, which involves injecting a foam solution directly into affected veins to cause them to collapse and fade away. This treatment is particularly effective for smaller varicose veins, but can be used for some large vein closures as well.

Endovenous Thermal Ablation

For larger varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, VasCare utilizes a radiofrequency ablation technique called ClosureFAST Targeted Endovenous Therapy. This procedure uses a thin, flexible catheter to heat diseased veins, shrink them, and seal them shut. As a result, blood that had been pooling in diseased veins is re-routed back to the heart through healthy veins to relieve pain, swelling, and discomfort.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

VasCare offers ambulatory phlebectomy, a minimally invasive surgical technique to remove larger varicose veins through tiny incisions, promoting both aesthetic improvement and symptom relief. By combining these advanced treatments with personalized care and expertise, VasCare strives to restore patients’ confidence and quality of life while effectively managing vein disease.

Endovenous Non-Thermal Ablation

VasCare also uses a minimally invasive nonthermal treatment called VenaSeal (see video on procedure here) to treat vein disease and varicose veins. The VenaSeal procedure delivers a small amount of a specially formulated medical adhesive to close the diseased vein, rerouting blood to nearby healthy veins and providing symptom relief. The VenaSeal closure system is a safe and effective treatment, offering significant improvement in quality of life.

Understanding the Procedure

VasCare offers a comprehensive range of medical procedures to effectively treat various vein disease, restoring overall health for patients. For some spider veins and small varicose veins, liquid injection sclerotherapy provides a minimally invasive solution. This technique involves injecting a sclerosant directly into the diseased vein, causing it to close and reroute blood flow through healthier veins, resulting in improved appearance and symptom relief.

For larger varicose veins requiring medical intervention, foam sclerotherapy offers an effective solution to seal off problematic veins and alleviate symptoms. In cases of more severe conditions such as skin discoloration, swelling legs, or venous ulcers, radiofrequency endovenous thermal ablation may be recommended to address underlying issues.

Treatment plans are personalized based on patient evaluation and may require multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart to achieve optimal results. Compression stockings are typically prescribed post-treatment to support healing and promote circulation, with patients experiencing improvements in both appearance and symptoms within weeks to months following treatment.

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Benefits of Vein Disease Treatments

Cutting-Edge Technology

VasCare utilizes the latest ultrasound equipment, including color flow duplex ultrasonography, to accurately diagnose and monitor vein conditions. This advanced technology provides real-time visualization of blood flow, ensuring precise treatment planning and outcomes.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Tools

With state-of-the-art radiological imaging and fluoroscopy equipment (available at Corpus Christi Clinic), VasCare can effectively diagnose and treat deep vein issues. These tools enable thorough evaluation and targeted intervention for complex venous conditions, enhancing the quality of care provided.

Trusted Medical Products

VasCare relies on reputable brands such as Medtronic, VenaSeal, Varithena, and Asclera for medical product purchases. By prioritizing quality and reliability in product selection, VasCare ensures the safety and effectiveness of treatments administered to patients.

Minimally Invasive Therapies

VasCare offers minimally invasive treatment options, minimizing discomfort and risk for patients. These procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home on the same day and resume their normal activities with minimal disruption.

Enhanced Patient Experience

With short downtime and less scarring compared to traditional surgical interventions, VasCare’s therapies prioritize patient comfort and satisfaction. Patients can undergo treatment with confidence, knowing they are receiving safe, effective care that promotes swift recovery and optimal outcomes.

Meet Our Experienced Venous Disease Specialists

Schedule AppointmentCall: 361-204-4736

Dr. Llewellyn Lee – Board-certified Vascular & Interventional Radiologist

Corpus Christi, Texas
In his more than two decades practicing medicine, Dr. Llewellyn Lee has become an authority on vascular and interventional treatments with thousands of successful procedures performed.
Meet Dr. Lee361.882.4000

Dr. Jennifer Mike-Mayer – Board-certified Vascular Surgeon

Corpus Christi, Texas
With expertise in vascular surgery and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Jennifer Mike-Mayer has become a leading authority in vascular surgical procedures, successfully treating thousands of patients.
Meet Dr. Mike-Mayer361.882.4000

Dr. Charles J. Gutierrez – Board-certified General Surgeon

Beaumont, Texas

Dr. Charles J. Gutierrez is a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years’ experience who specializes in venous disease treatment.

Meet Dr. Gutierrez409.924.8600

Helping You Overcome Venous Disease

What to Expect at your Vein Procedure

On the day of the procedure, you may have some pinkish fluid that leaks from your leg. This is the tumescent anesthesia fluid (sterile saline and lidocaine) that has been injected around the vein during the procedure. You will most likely feel “knots” on your legs after the procedure. These are simply the closed veins; once a vein closes it becomes hard and cordlike. Some inflammation is also common. A certain percentage of patients will experience bruising. This is most likely a result of the tumescent fluid infusion. The bruising usually resolves in a few days. Minor bruising is also common at the injection sites. You may also experience a pulling or tugging sensation on the inner area of your thigh for the first five to seven days while the treated vein continues to shrink.

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What Our Patients Are Saying

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Vein FAQs

What are the functions of veins?
Veins transport blood from various regions of the body back to the heart.
Don’t I need all of my veins to get blood from the legs back to my heart?
The veins we treat are not providing effective return of blood to the heart. You have many veins in your legs that will function appropriately almost instantly after the diseased veins are closed.
Is chronic venous disease a serious condition that needs to be treated?
In many cases, chronic venous disease is serious and needs to be treated. Spider veins may only be classified as a cosmetic problem, but varicose veins, skin discoloration, swelling legs, and venous ulcers can be serious, medically necessary conditions.
What about cosmetic treatments?
An ultrasound is performed to determine if you have underlying venous insufficiency. If the underlying veins and valves are normal, then we can proceed to treat the spider veins with sclerotherapy, a microinjection procedure that involves the injection of a sterile solution (sclerosing solution) into the small veins using a very fine, thin needle. This solution irritates the vein lining causing it to undergo fibrosis and close. The closed vein eventually fades into surrounding tissues. Multiple veins can be injected at each session. Most spider veins will require more than one treatment session to achieve the best results.
I had vein stripping in my leg years ago and my symptoms are back. What do I do now?
In the past, vein stripping of the saphenous vein was a common procedure for treating varicose veins. It is typical to see varicose veins return after the procedure. An ultrasound examination can show exactly what has been done in the past and can determine which veins are now causing problems. In these situations, the Venefit radiofrequency thermal ablation procedure works well for treating varicose veins that have returned.
What is venous reflux?
Venous reflux is a condition that allows blood to flow backwards in a vein and pool, which creates increased venous pressure and can lead to a variety of venous disease conditions. Venous reflux is typically caused by abnormalities in the vein wall, damage to the tiny one-way valves inside veins that control the flow of blood (valvular incompetence), or both.
What is the recovery time?
Recovery time depends on the procedure and the patient. However, for the procedures performed at VasCare, which are all minimally invasive, patients are able to walk in and walk out. Most patients return to work the next day.
What if I need my leg veins for a heart bypass or leg artery bypass?
The veins we treat have failed and would not be appropriate for use as a bypass graft on the heart or in the legs.
Is vein treatment affordable? Will my insurance cover treating varicose veins?
Nearly all insurance providers, including Medicare, cover medically necessary treatments for chronic venous disease. VasCare has developed managed care contracts with most major health insurance plans and networks. Your initial consultation at VasCare will be billed to your insurance and you will typically be responsible for the normal co-pay or coinsurance required for a specialist office visit and ultrasound (if needed). Your initial consultation will involve an examination, ultrasound of your leg veins (if needed), discussion of treatment options, and a review of your health insurance benefits. The dedicated staff at VasCare will help you maximize your insurance benefits and help you with CareCredit if you need financial assistance.
What is conservative therapy?
Conservative therapy is vital part of treating varicose veins and other venous disease conditions. Conservative therapy involves compression stockings, exercise, weight loss, and leg elevation.
What is Foam Sclerotherapy?
Foam sclerotherapy treatment is a minimally invasive procedure used with larger varicose veins that require treatment. A chemical agent (sclerosant) is prepared as a foam to maximize contact with the vein wall. The foam is injected into the vein and damages the vein wall, causing it to close down. Blood that had been pooling in the vein and unable to return to the heart is re-routed through healthy veins.
Is the ClosureFAST procedure painful? Will I have pain during or after the procedure?
Local or regional anesthetic is used during the procedure and most patients report feeling little or no pain during the procedure. In our experience utilizing the Venefit procedure very few of our patients experience significant post-operative pain. In a published study in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, by Poebstle et al., patients evaluated post-procedural pain on a scale of zero (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain) and 70.1 percent of patients experienced no pain in their legs at any time after the procedure.
How effective is the ClosureFAST procedure?
In a large, multi-center study, the Venefit procedure was found to be 93 percent effective over three years. Most patients report improvement in their symptoms within one to two weeks following the procedure.
What happens to the treated vein in my leg?
Over time, the vein will simply shrink and become fibrous tissue. Depending on the initial size of the vein, some treated veins cannot be seen on ultrasound at the one-year follow up.
How many procedures will I need?
During your initial visit, you will be examined for common signs associated with venous disease. If signs exist, you will be given a detailed diagnostic ultrasound. This will allow your physician to determine exactly which veins need to be treated. The physician will then discuss the treatment options with you to form a treatment plan. The timing and extent of the treatment plan will be discussed to address your specific needs.
How long after the procedures do I need to wear compression stockings?
Compression stockings should be worn continuously for the first 48 hours after a procedure and then during the day for the next two weeks.
Do I need to stop my blood thinners or other medications before the procedure?

No. In fact, we give certain patients a blood thinner just before the procedure to help offset their risks for developing a deep vein thrombosis. Any other medications can usually be continued.