What is a varicose vein?
Veins have one-way valves that route oxygen depleted blood back to the heart. If these valves don’t function well, blood doesn’t flow efficiently causing blood to pool in the lower leg. When congested with blood, the vein walls stretch causing the twisted, rope-like vein typically recognized as a varicose vein.
Am I a candidate for varicose vein treatment?
If you have pain, swelling, or heaviness in your legs, ankles, or pelvis, you may have a vein disorder called venous insufficiency or varicose veins. Typically, varicose vein patients also suffer from pain while standing or walking for long periods of time.
Only a professional trained in vein management is qualified to diagnose and treat your specific needs.
What makes the radiologists at Dakota Vein Center qualified for varicose vein treatment?
Our physicians are board-certified vascular specialists with fellowship training in interventional radiology. They specialize in minimally invasive targeted treatments that have less risk, less pain, and less recovery time compared to surgical treatment options.
How do you determine treatment needs?
A complete, non-invasive ultrasound evaluation is done to track the blood flow and identify the sources of problems. After this detailed evaluation, an individualized plan is scheduled. Each patient has unique needs and our treatment will be targeted to those needs.
My legs look fine, but I experience some of the symptoms described above! I don’t have varicose veins, do I?
Not all varicose are visible from the skin’s surface. They may be hidden deep within the leg. Our diagnostic evaluation may indicate that you are suffering, even though they are not visible.
What treatment options do you perform?
We, at Dakota Vein Center, offer a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure called vein ablation. We use imaging technologies to guide the procedure and pinpoint the primary source(s) of the problem vein(s). A small tube about the size of a spaghetti strand is inserted into the vein allowing treatment from within.
What are the benefits of vein ablation over my options?
The vein ablation procedure can be completed using only a local anesthetic. It only lasts approximately an hour and recovery time is minimal. You should be able to return home immediately following the procedure.
There is no scar left after the vein ablation procedure. Because there is no surgical incision, just a nick in the skin about the size of a pencil tip, there are no scars or stiches.
In addition, you should immediately have relief from veins that cause pain or are just cosmetically unappealing.
Does it hurt?
A local anesthetic is used during the procedure. Afterwards, any over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication is usually all that is necessary for your comfort.
What happens to the problem vein?
Once the small tube or catheter is inserted into the vein, a laser is applied to the inside of the vein. This heats the vein which causes it to seal closed. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg re-establishing normal blood flow.
Is there risk to not treating my varicose veins?
Yes, there could be. Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration of the lower leg.
Can you guarantee results?
Due to genetics and many other factors, you may be predisposed to future problems. We view our service as varicose vein management rather than a one-time cure all. Vein ablation has a very high success rate, but we will request 2-3 follow-up visits to help assure the success of the treatment.
However, since there is no way to definitively prevent additional veins from becoming problems, varicose veins may be an on-going challenge for you.
Will my insurance cover my procedure?
Insurance will cover most of the procedures we offer based on medical necessity for symptom relief. If there is a question about coverage, our staff can help determine if your insurance will approve the expenses. If your insurance does not cover a procedure, payment options can be arranged to meet your individual needs.
