In your leg, you have two sets of veins. They are called deep veins and superficial veins.

Deep veins are in the deeper part of the leg where the muscles are, and superficial veins are right under the skin.

In a normal person, the blood circulates from the feet toward the heart in both veins.

When someone has venous insufficiency, the blood will go up the deep veins and back into the superficial vein.

The blood will start pooling in the superficial veins.

Since the superficial veins are closest to the skin, they will bulge and create varicose veins. Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged veins in the legs that are sometimes ropy and twisted in appearance.

Spider veins are groups of red or blue veins, close to the surface of the skin, that resemble the delicate strands of spider webs. Spider Veins are essentially a smaller version of varicose veins. They are most often seen on the legs, chest, or face.. It is common to find spider veins and varicose veins together.

No. Varicose veins can occur deeper in the leg, where one can’t see them. Varicose veins are classified under the spectrum of venous insufficiency.

Venous insufficiency causes leg discomfort, swelling of the ankles and leg, itching, and fatigue. Other signs and symptoms may be prickling, cramping, aching, and heaviness of the lower limbs after prolonged standing.

Keep an eye out for these symptoms besides simply visible veins.

In short, no. Exercise and compression stockings may help reduce some of the symptoms of varicose veins, but usually, only medical treatment can eliminate a varicose vein.

Progression of varicose veins can be dangerous as they may later become venous ulcerations. When left without treatment, complications may include rashes, infections, bleeding, sores, and blood clots.

In rare cases, varicose veins can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening.

1) Consult – We start you with a consultation where you will be listened to and encounter a friendly staff that will ensure you get the best care. On the first visit, that care will come from our expertly trained team, including Dr. Gardner and an ultrasonographer.

2) Ultrasound – After the consult, we move on to the assessment, providing you with an accurate diagnosis. You will get the same-day ultrasound and results on-site while you see the provider. This will get you back to life as swiftly as possible.

3) Treatment Plan – After we conclude our assessment, we will provide you with a treatment plan.

There are many different options, such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), sclerotherapy, pneumatic compression, and more. We will ensure you get the perfect customized treatment based on your needs and outcome goals.

It is normal to have some minor discomfort during the procedure. We will do everything we can to make this as relaxing and comfortable an experience as possible. After the procedure, patients may experience minor bruising or discomfort in the area of the treated vein, which normally resolves in 3-4 weeks. Overall, patients report minimal pain/discomfort and can go back to doing the things they love.

Patients usually return to work and activities on the very same day. Very little downtime is needed for our treatments.