A: We frequently have patients come to our office who have had stripping done in the past. Despite the rather severe morbidity, vein stripping fails to relieve the patients’ venous reflux 50-65% of the time.
A: Many women develop vulvar or vaginal varices during pregnancy. These can be very painful during pregnancy. They usually diminish after delivery, but can cause pelvic pain during menses, during or after intercourse (dyspareunia), or with prolonged standing for years afterward.
A: Pregnancy does not cause varicose veins in the legs, but each pregnancy makes existing vein problems a great deal worse. If pregnancy did cause leg varicose veins they would be much more common in women than in men.
A: Historical vein treatments such as vein stripping were extremely painful, left disfiguring scars, and were only minimally effective. The cure was definitely worse than the disease. Current techniques have fortunately revolutionized the treatment of venous disease.
A: The good news is that varicose veins are generally not a life-threatening or limb-threatening condition. The bad news is that their symptoms will tend to bother you more and more on a daily basis (leg tiredness, heaviness, aching, throbbing, tingling, burning, itching, numbness, swelling, restless legs syndrome, etc.)
A: Because a genetic predisposition is the biggest risk factor for the development of varicose veins, the can appear at any age. Other risk factors such as age, pregnancy, physical trauma, prolonged standing or sitting at work, etc.
A: While the deep venous system can develop venous insufficiency (reflux), the deep veins are supported by the leg muscles and bones and never become “varicose.” The superficial system lacks this support system and is consequently prone to varicose vein formation.
A: Varicose veins are not very attractive. Vanity, however, is usually only a minor reason people seek treatment. The major reason people seek treatment is usually because they are tired of the aching, pain, burning, tiredness, heaviness, itching, Restless Legs Syndrome sensations, night cramps, edema, eczema, hyperpigmentation, venous leg ulcers, and bleeding.
A: Yes. Procedures are covered by Medicare and most major insurers.
A: Yes. Procedures are covered by Medicare and most major insurers.
Whether you suffer from Varicose Veins, Arterial or Venous Disease, TCH&V will ensure your care is perfectly tailored to you so you can get back to life.