Varicose Veins Treated by Vascular Specialists in Baltimore

Varicose veins are enlarged, raised or twisted blood vessels. They are most commonly located in the legs and feet due to increased pressure on the lower body resulting from standing and walking. For some people, these highly visible veins are unsightly and are simply a cosmetic concern; for others, varicose veins can cause pain and indicate more serious circulatory problems.

Varicose veins may be visible on the legs as dark blue or purple and aren’t always a serious medical problem by themselves. If they do affect leg use, symptoms include:

• Achy legs
• Tender legs
• A feeling of heaviness in the leg
• Soreness in the leg or burning, throbbing or muscle cramping
• Swelling in the ankles and feet
• Itching around the veins
• Skin ulcers near the ankle which indicate a severe vascular condition

An ultrasound test may be ordered to ensure there are no blood clots in the legs. This is a non-invasive test that produces images for the diagnostic technician and vascular doctor to review.

Varicose veins can be treated with lifestyle adjustments, including frequent exercise, weight loss, less restrictive clothing and leg elevation. Avoiding standing and sitting for long periods of time may also help. Compression stockings are a common suggestion as well and help veins move blood more efficiently.

The vascular surgeons at The Vascular Center at Mercy offer additional treatment options should they be necessary. Our highly skilled doctors use advanced, minimally invasive VenaSeal, Venefit (formerly known as VNUS Closure) and Veingogh treatment options for patients with varicose veins. Other options include:

• Sclerotherapy is an injection procedure that scars and closes the veins
• Laser treatments are effective on smaller varicose veins and do not require incisions or needles
• Catheter procedures are performed on larger veins requiring the insertion of the catheter into a vein which is heated and collapsed
• Phlebectomy helps remove smaller varicose veins with a series of skin punctures
• Minimally invasive surgery, including vein stripping or ligation, involves small incisions to remove the vein entirely. In advanced cases, an endoscopic surgery may be needed using a thin video camera to find and remove the veins