Varicose Vein Treatment

Our approach:

• Provide the newest treatment modalities such as minimally invasive nerve blocks and injections

Varicose Vein Treatment is performed by Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD. Varicose veins are a condition characterized by bulging, bluish-purple veins under the skin, usually affecting the legs. Varicose veins are usually caused by venous insufficiency, which is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart.

What is Venous Insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency, also called venous reflux,  is the underlying condition that causes varicose veins. 

The normal function of veins is to push poorly oxygenated blood back toward the heart through a series of one-way valves. Sometimes, these valves don’t function properly, so not all of the blood makes its way back to the heart. Just as in acid reflux, where the stomach acids back-flow and leak into the esophagus due to relaxation of the esophageal muscles; with venous reflux, the valves are not strong enough to push all of the blood back up to the heart. This causes the blood to collect or pool in the vein, leading to an increase in venous blood pressure. This increased venous pressure causes the vein to engorge; becoming swollen, painful, and unsightly.

If left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency can lead to symptoms and conditions other than varicose veins, such as pain, leg swelling, a feeling of heaviness or tiredness in the legs, cramping in the legs, a feeling of restless legs, changes in skin color or elasticity, and even ulcers on the legs that can be difficult to treat and heal.

What causes Venous Insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, activity level or medical history. There are however, some predisposing factors that do increase your risk of developing the condition. You are more likely to develop venous insufficiency if you:

• Are a female over the age of 50
• Are pregnant
• Have a family history of the condition
• Are overweight or obese
• Live a sedentary lifestyle
• Suffered damage to the leg due to injury or surgery
• Have had blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, called DVT
• Are a smoker
• Have high blood pressure in the legs due to prolonged sitting or standing

How is Venous Insufficiency diagnosed?

Venous insufficiency is diagnosed officially by a test called Venous Duplex Ultrasound. This test is a non-invasive ultrasound study, and assesses the internal structure of the veins and the velocity of the blood-flow within the vein. This test records the direction and speed of the blood-flow within the vein.

How is Venous Insufficiency treated?

The condition and its associated symptoms may be treated with:

• Improving blood flow in your leg veins with leg elevation, wearing compression socks or stockings, and regular exercise
• Medications that increase blood flow
• Radiofrequency Ablation of the damaged vein – A thin catheter is inserted into the damaged vein, and withdrawn while applying high temperatures, burning and effectively closing the vessel from the inside. The body finds new, healthy veins to use in order to carry blood back to the heart and the treated vein is resorbed.
• Injection sclerotherapy – An irritant solution is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and scar. The scarred vein is resorbed.
• Surgery – In more severe cases, surgical vein stripping and ligation may be performed. This is when the vein is tied off and surgically removed.

Meet Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD – Board Certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology

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