In the final installment of this series the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Vein Center at Virginia Surgical Associates will continue to answer questions most commonly asked by patients when seeking varicose vein treatment options. Today’s post will focus on insurance coverage of varicose vein treatment and post-treatment expectations.

• Does insurance cover sclerotherapy?

If you are considering surgery for removal of varicose veins, contact your insurance company to discuss the requirements for approval. In most cases insurance companies will require proof that the surgery is medically necessary. If your varicose veins are causing severe symptoms including swelling, pain, ulcers or clots, insurance companies will likely cover the cost of the treatment. In many cases, insurance companies will require a patient to wear compression hose for a period of time to see if the symptoms dissipate prior to approving any further treatment. Unfortunately, if the treatment is done for purely cosmetic reasons the cost will not be covered by insurance.

• What problems could arise if my varicose veins are left untreated?

The majority of individuals with varicose veins do not develop any further complications. However it is possible for untreated varicose veins to cause severe medical issues. Possible complications include; superficial thrombophlebitis, bleeding, venous eczema, venous pigmentation and venous ulceration.

• Once treatment is complete will the veins return?

All of the treatment options offered at The Vein Center have very high success rates and it is unlikely that the veins that have been treated will return. However, following treatment, new varicose or spider vein may develop and require further treatment. If you are concerned about new veins occurring, an ultrasound can be used to track venous insufficiency.

The Vein Center at Virginia Surgical offers three convenient locations, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Richmond varicose vein treatment centers. Our board certified vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of symptomatic and cosmetic vein disorders. Contact us today to discuss your varicose and spider vein treatment options.

In Part 4 of this series the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Vein Center at Virginia Surgical Associates will continue to answer questions most commonly asked by patients when seeking varicose vein treatment options. Today’s post will focus on the varicose vein treatment procedure of sclerotherapy.

• Does sclerotherapy hurt?

During the injection patients may experience a burning sensation that lasts up to 10 seconds as the sclerosing agent works its way into the vein. The goal of sclerotherapy is to irritate the vein to cause it to swell and stick together. This irritation may sting for a short period. Anesthesia is not typically necessary during sclerotherapy and, many patients report that the procedure was much less uncomfortable than they anticipated.

• How many veins are treated per session?

Approximately 30-40 veins can be treated each session, depending on the size and severity of each vein and the length of the treatment appointment.

• How long does it take for injections?

The number of veins treated will dictate the length of the procedure but generally each treatment session will last around 30 – 60 minutes. No down time is required following treatment; some patients even schedule sclerotherapy appointments on their lunch break and return to work for the afternoon.

• Do I have to wear compression stockings after sclerotherapy?

Compression stockings are frequently prescribed following sclerotherapy to aid in the compression of the veins to ensure they stick together and do not re-open. Compression therapy will minimize the amount of blood entering the injection and promote faster healing. The duration that compression stockings must be worn for following treatment will vary for each patient.

The Vein Center at Virginia Surgical offers three convenient locations, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Richmond sclerotherapy treatment centers. Our board certified vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of symptomatic and cosmetic vein disorders. Contact us today to discuss your varicose and spider vein treatment options.

In Part Two of this series the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Vein Center at Virginia Surgical Associates will continue to answer questions most commonly asked by patients when seeking varicose vein treatment options. Today’s post will focus on different forms of therapy and offer some specific details about sclerotherapy.

•  What are some treatment options available to help my varicose veins?

The expert physicians at The Vein center offer a wide range of varicose vein treatment options. As each case is different and the best course of treatment will be selected based on the severity of your case as well as your overall health.

VenaCure EVLT (Endovenous Laser Treatment) – a minimally invasive procedure that uses targeted laser energy to close the unhealthy vein and provide immediate relief of symptoms.

Sclerotherapy – is a treatment which injects a solution that irritates the vein and causes it to close.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy – a surgical technique where the affected varicose veins are removed through small incisions.

• What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy treatment involves and injection of a sclerosing agent into the affected varicose veins. This solution causes an irritation to the inner lining of the vein, causing it to close. This treatment can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.

•  Does sclerotherapy work for everyone?

Studies show that 50% to 80% of veins treated by sclerotherapy are eliminated. Less that 10% of people do not respond to sclerotherapy injections at all.

You are not eligible for sclerotherapy if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or bedridden. If you have had a blood clot in the past you must discuss this with your doctor to determine your eligibility based on your overall health and the location of the clot.

•  What medicine/solution is used for sclerotherapy?

There are many solutions available for sclerotherapy. Hypertonic saline (salt water) is still available, but most physicians use polidocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, or glycerine.

The current agents we use are called Sotradecol or Polidocanol, both of which have been used for many, many years with excellent results, and much less discomfort as compared to saline.

The Vein Center at Virginia Surgical offers three convenient locations, Mechanicsville, Richmond, and Midlothian sclerotherapy treatment centers. Our board certified vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of symptomatic and cosmetic vein disorders. Contact us today to discuss sclerotherapy and other vein treatment options.

The doctors, nurses, and staff at The Vein Center at Virginia Surgical Associate offer Mechanicsville, Midlothian, and Richmond varicose vein treatment centers. We are dedicated to providing quality care to all patients. Through years of experience we have become a wealth of knowledge when it comes to vein treatment options. We have developed a list of questions commonly asked by patients when seeking some sort of vein treatment. Over the next five postings we will answer these questions to provide you with important information regarding common vein problems and vein treatments.

Part 1 of 5

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by weak or damaged valves in the veins. As the heart pumps, oxygenated blood travels throughout your body. Once the blood has reached its destination, veins carry the de-oxygenated blood back to your heart for re-circulation.

In your legs, the upward flow of blood is fighting gravity. Veins have small valves that open to push the blood upward towards the heart and close to prevent them from flowing backward. When the valves weaken and the valves do not seal correctly, blood can leak back through the valve and collect. This problem is known as venous insufficiency. When backed-up blood collects in the vein and causes the veins to enlarge, this is what is known as varicose veins.

Could I have prevented my vein problem?

Unfortunately no, there is nothing you could have done to prevent varicose or spider veins. The leading factors associated with varicose veins are: genetics, gender, pregnancy, and age. However, progression can be slowed with compression therapy, avoiding sitting or standing for extended periods of time and maintaining a healthy diet.

Do varicose or spider veins ever improve without treatment?

Varicose vein disease does not improve without treatment. When varicose veins are left untreated patients often suffer from fatigue, pain, or swelling of the ankles and legs. More advanced conditions may develop in severe cases.

Check back for the next part of our series that will focus on treatment options for your varicose veins.

The Vein Center at Virginia Surgical offers three convenient locations, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Richmond varicose vein treatment centers. Our board certified vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of symptomatic and cosmetic vein disorders. Contact us today to discuss your varicose and spider vein treatment options.