Varicose vein treatment in Minnesota and western Wisconsin

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin that appear most often in the legs and ankles. They usually aren't serious, but they can sometimes lead to other problems.

At HealthPartners, we offer comprehensive treatment for varicose veins, and we treat both legs during the same appointment to help save you time and money. Our treatment is also minimally invasive, meaning less recovery time.

Symptoms of varicose veins may differ from person to person. People with varicose veins might experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Ankle skin that looks brown or gray
• Dull, heavy, aching legs, especially after standing for a long time
• Itching around the veins
• Purple, bulging veins easily seen under your skin
• Skin ulcers (open sores) near the ankle
• Swelling of the legs
  

In most cases, varicose veins aren’t dangerous. However, untreated varicose veins could lead to serious complications, including blood clots or vein problems like chronic venous insufficiency.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with one of our primary care doctors, who are experts in diagnosing hundreds of conditions. If your care requires additional expertise, we’ll connect you directly with one of our vein specialists.

Varicose veins are caused by weakened valves and veins in your legs. You have one-way valves in your veins that normally keep blood flowing from your legs up toward your heart. When these valves don’t work as they should, blood collects in your legs and pressure builds. This causes the veins to become weak, large and twisted.

Certain people are more likely to get varicose veins. Risk factors include being female, getting older, carrying extra weight, and having a job or lifestyle that involves sitting or standing for long stretches at a time. It’s also common to have varicose veins during pregnancy, but they often go away on their own after childbirth.

During a vein screening appointment, your doctor will look at your legs while you’re standing. They’ll look for swelling and other signs of varicose veins. You may also have a venous Doppler exam which is the test commonly used to diagnose varicose veins. This test uses ultrasound waves to evaluate the structure of your veins and blood flow, and can help diagnose different vein problems, including weakened valves and blood clots.

People often mistake spider veins for varicose veins, but there are some important differences. Spider veins are groups of tiny red or blue veins that look like a spider web or branches of a tree – they are also under the surface and don’t bulge out from your skin. Spider veins aren’t dangerous, don’t cause other health problems and are almost always painless. They can be treated, but this is purely for cosmetic reasons.

If you’re not sure if you have spider veins or varicose veins, it’s a good idea to come in for a vein screening to see if treatment may help. It’s also possible to have both varicose veins and spider veins.

Varicose veins are treated by specialists, such as vascular surgeons, phlebologists and dermatologists. The recommended treatment for varicose veins depends on your unique condition but may include:

Your doctor may recommend varicose vein self-care such as using compression socks, increasing activity levels and eating a diet that would support vein health.

Your doctor may be able to treat varicose veins without surgery, using one of the following medical procedures.

Sclerotherapy is used to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. During sclerotherapy, a chemical is injected into the vein that causes it to harden, scar and close so it no longer fills with blood – the vein will shrivel and disappear in a few weeks. Some people may need multiple injections to completely close the vein. Sclerotherapy can’t be performed at the same time as other procedures, but sclerotherapy doesn’t require anesthesia and can be done in the doctor’s office.

Laser treatment, also called thermal ablation, can be effective for smaller varicose veins. Your doctor will use a laser to shoot strong bursts of light into the vein. This will cause the vein to close and fade over time.

This is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat the saphenous vein – it’s an effective procedure with a 98% success rate. During radiofrequency ablation, a thin, flexible tube (called a catheter) is inserted into the vein. The tip of the catheter uses radiofrequency energy to heat the walls of the vein, which closes the vein so blood can’t flow through it. We’ll only use the closure procedure on damaged veins. The damaged vein will be absorbed by the body and disappear over time.

During surgery, a varicose vein surgeon will remove the swollen vein. Here’s how varicose veins are surgically removed:

Also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, avulsion is a surgical procedure usually used to remove bulging varicose veins. During avulsion, we make small punctures in the skin. Then, we use tiny hooks to pull the damaged veins through the punctures and out of the leg. We’ll use local anesthesia to numb the affected areas and keep you comfortable during the procedure. You won’t need stitches, and most people can return to normal activities 2-3 days after the procedure. Avulsion can be done at the same time as radiofrequency ablation.

Vein stripping is a surgical procedure that isn’t used very often. During this procedure, we’ll remove your saphenous vein. We use general anesthesia during vein stripping to help keep you comfortable, and it typically takes 1-4 weeks to recover from the procedure.

After varicose vein treatment, you can expect a gradual improvement in the appearance and symptoms of the varicose veins – full recovery typically takes 1-6 months.

For the first couple of days after your procedure, you may have some pain, but you should be able to manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers. You may also have swelling and bruising around the treatment area.

In most cases, you’ll be back to daily activities within 48 hours, and able to restart most exercise within a week or two. But your doctor will provide you with specific aftercare instructions based on your situation.

If you’re concerned about varicose veins, it’s worth talking to a doctor about recommended treatment options. But you should see a doctor as soon as possible if:

• Your leg suddenly becomes swollen and painful. You might have a blood clot in a deep vein, which can be serious and may need prompt attention.
• Your leg has a tender lump. This could be a clot or inflammation in a vein just under the skin, which is usually not dangerous but may need treatment.
• You develop an open sore (ulcer). If you have a sore on your leg that won’t heal, especially if it’s tender and swollen, you may have an infection.
• The varicose vein symptoms don’t improve with home treatment, or you’re concerned about symptoms you’re having. Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue. If you are in serious pain or experiencing symptoms of circulation problems – like numbness, tingling or stinging in your limbs – call your doctor immediately.