FAQs About Veins

Common Questions

I’ve heard that varicose veins are just a cosmetic problem. Can this be true?  I’m in so much pain! 
Varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, phlebitis and sometimes hemorrhage. We have treated dozens of patients whose severe varicose veins were caused by severe reflux disease otherwise known as venous insuffiency. Venous insufficiency is a recognized medical conditon that most insurances cover.

I’ve heard that sclerotherapy does not work and that my spider veins will just come back – is this true? 
Sclerotherapy done badly and/or with an ineffective sclerosant such as saline does have a high recurrence rate. This is why specialized training in phlebology is so important. At Pacific Vein Care, we use a sclerosant called Polidocanol which is highly effective and painless.

Can’t I just wear compression stockings to eliminate and shrink my varicose veins? 
Support stockings are a temporary measure that will not fix a chronic, physical problem like the new, effective, minimally invasive technologies and treatments will. Compression stockings are not a definitive treatment.

Don’t I need all of my veins? If you treat them and they go away, what will happen? 
The veins that we treat are already diseased and are not functioning properly (or pumping blood). Therefore, your body has already created new, healthy veins to take over and do the work for the failed ones. Closing the diseased veins actually improves your circulation by forcing the pooling blood out of the failed vein and into surrounding, healthy veins.

Does crossing your legs and/or standing too long cause varicose veins? 
The primary cause of varicose vein disease is heredity. However, other secondary factors include hormones, prolonged standing, previous trauma and/or injury to the leg and obesity.

How does Radiofrequency Ablation actually work? 
Radiofrequency Ablation treats the Saphenous Veins from the inside using a catheter with a heated tip.   The radiofrequency through the catheter causes the vein walls to shrink down and the collagen on the inside of the vein to become tacky.  The vein then seals itself shut and the blood is diverted to healthy veins.  It’s that easy.

What are the potential complications of the Radiofrequency Ablation  procedure? 
There are potential complications with any medical procedure, however only minimal complications have been experienced with the Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment. Some rare complications include phlebitis, numbness or tingling and skin burns. If you are concerned about these, the doctor will discuss them with you in detail.

How successful is Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment? 
Medical literature says that recurrence following ablation treatment is two to three percent. These success rates are higher than the success rates of vein stripping surgery. Radiofrequency Ablation treatment, sclerotherapy, and ambulatory microphlebectomy are all office-based procedures that are covered by most insurance including Medicare.