Virginia Skin & Vein - Spider Vein Treatment & Varicose Vein Treatment Options

Virginia Skin & Vein Center (in Roanoke) offers minimally invasive laser treatment for your vein problems. Dr. Smith of Roanoke Vein Center uses all modern technologies to diagnose and treat vein disease, including duplex ultrasound, EVLA and Sclerotherapy.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

The visible varicose veins in the legs are almost always a result of problems elsewhere in the leg. Veins carry blood from the tissues back to the heart. They are thin-walled tubes that get squeezed by the surrounding muscles as they contract. This contraction forces blood up the veins and a series of non-return valves ensure the flow is only in one direction back to the heart. If these valves become faulty and fail to close, the blood can run backwards and will gather or pool in the veins. This causes the veins to bulge and stretch which results in many unpleasant symptoms such as aching, heavy or tired legs, and poor circulation.

Most patients have inherited varicose veins, although they may be aggravated by pregnancy, hormonal variations or minor trauma. Some patients complain of symptoms like itching, burning or stinging of the skin, restless legs and minor aches and pains. Although surface veins are mainly a cosmetic problem, they can also be an indication of more serious vein disease deep below the surface.

Varicose Vein Symptoms:

• Leg veins with a ropy, bulging or knotted appearance
• Dark blue or purple "bunched-up" veins visible near the surface of the skin
• Tired or heavy limbs
• "Restless leg" syndrome during sleep
• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Burning, itching, or general discomfort in the legs

Spider Vein Symptoms & Concerns:

Our long-pulse laser can be used to treat several forms of spider veins. It is applied to the surface of the skin, achieving remarkable results within just a few treatments and minimal discomfort.

• Shown in groups of blood vessels just below the surface of the skin
• Very tiny formations that resemble a spider web or a road map
• Usually a cosmetic concern, but seldom be a symptom of larger issues

Diagnostics & Treatments:

In Office Diagnostic Ultrasound

A non-invasive, painless Doppler Duplex Ultrasound Scan examination allows Dr. Smith to visualize normal or refluxing blood flow in the veins below the skin’s surface and determine the level of underlying vein disease. With the results from this procedure, Dr. Smith can recommend the appropriate vein treatment options for his patients.

Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy

For some veins below the skins surface, duplex ultrasound may be used during sclerotherapy to verify needle placement. 'Foam' Sclerotherapy agents are often used with this technique because they allow a lower injection volume that achieves the same effect. Sclerotherapy involves injection of a liquid 'irritant' directly into your veins, to help seal the veins shut and make them visually disappear. Once the flow is eliminated, these veins dissolve over time. Multiple sclerotherapy sessions may be needed to achieve optimal results.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

EVLA (Endovenous laser ablation) is a minimally invasive procedure performed in-office without hospitalization under local anesthesia for the treatment of varicose veins. A laser fiber is inserted through the skin and directly into the vein that is causing the bulging, unattractive, and often painful varicose veins. The laser heats the lining within the vein, damaging it and causing it to collapse, shrink, and eventually disappear. This treatment lasts for about half an hour. Besides being a minimally invasive, painless and easy-to-recover procedure, EVLA reduces the chance of developing stasis ulcers, makes blood circulation more efficient, improves body image and confidence

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

When veins near the surface are too small to treat with EVLA, but too large to treat with Sclerotherapy, Ambulatory Phlebectomy is the right choice. In the case of Ambulatory Phlebectomy, small punctures will be made to remove varicose veins and will leave virtually no scars. This is not the same as vein stripping and the two should not be confused.