Superficial venous reflux, or varicose vein disease, is a condition that develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs to your heart become damaged or diseased. This condition causes blood to pool in your legs. Common symptoms of superficial venous reflux include pain, swelling, leg heaviness, fatigue and visible varicose veins in your legs.

Because valves cannot be repaired, the only alternative to varicose vein disease is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically stripping the diseased veins from your legs. The procedures we offer provide a less invasive alternative to vein stripping by simply shutting down the problem vein. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to push the blood more effectively to your heart.

Spider Veins Though often lumped together, spider veins are very different from varicose vein disease in terms of cause, appearance and medical implications.

Spider veins are tiny, dilated blood vessels that appear just below the skin’s surface, typically on the face, neck, chest and legs. Spider veins are very common, but are mostly a cosmetic issue. These spider veins are most frequently treated by Sclerotherapy or Laser Therapy.

When present on the leg, spider veins are frequently fed from larger varicosities located beneath the skin. In this case the treatment involves eliminating the underlying feeding varicosities as well as the spider veins themselves.

Leg ulcers are the result of inadequate oxygenation of the skin. Frequently, marked swelling of the lower extremities are observed mostly due to deep venous insufficiency but superficial venous insufficiency may also contribute to this painful condition. As the distension and pressure in the leg rises the pressure on the capillaries carrying the oxygenated blood is overcome.

The mainstay of treatment is to reduce venous pressure and swelling of the leg. While weekly applications of medicated bandages help the healing process of the skin, treatment of the venous system is recommended to avoid recurrence of the ulcers.