Varicose Veins Specialist
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Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions
Martin Carignan, MD
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery & General Surgery located in Huntersville, NC & Mooresville, NC
Most people focus on the aesthetic side of ugly varicose veins. But varicose veins are also a sign of a serious vein disease in your legs. At Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions, Martin Carignan, MD, safely eliminates varicose veins for people who want to improve their appearance. He’s also concerned about protecting your vein health and treating the underlying condition responsible for varicose veins. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call the office in Huntersville, North Carolina, or use the online booking feature today.
Varicose Veins Q & A
What causes varicose veins?
The veins in your legs work against gravity to carry blood up your legs and back toward your heart. They depend on one-way valves that let blood flow up and close to stop it from refluxing down the leg.
When a valve weakens or fails, some of the blood flows backward and builds up in that segment of the vein. This condition is called venous insufficiency. As more blood accumulates, the vein becomes engorged. That’s when you end up with bulging, twisted, dark blue and purple varicose veins.
What symptoms develop if I have varicose veins?
Some people don’t have symptoms other than unsightly and embarrassing veins. However, many people develop problems such as:
- Leg pain
- Heavy-feeling legs
- Edema (swelling due to fluids)
- Restless legs
- Itchy legs
- Muscle cramps
- Burning or throbbing
Whether or not you have symptoms, if you have varicose veins, you also have venous insufficiency.
Venous insufficiency causes high pressure in the lower leg veins. Without treatment, that pressure causes skin discoloration, skin thickening, eczema-like rashes, and non-healing venous stasis ulcers.
How are varicose veins treated?
Your provider at Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions does a thorough exam and performs ultrasound imaging to evaluate the extent and severity of your varicose veins. If the underlying disease isn’t severe, they may begin your treatment with compression stockings that improve blood flow.
If you have advanced venous insufficiency or you want to have your varicose veins treated, your provider recommends a treatment such as:
Sclerotherapy
Your provider injects a medication that makes the vein wall collapse and turn into scar tissue. Over time, the scar tissue clears away, so the veins disappear. Additionally, your body redirects the blood to another healthy vein. Ultimately, sclerotherapy eliminates the diseased vein and damaged valves and restores normal circulation.
Endovenous ablation
During endovenous ablation, your provider makes a tiny cut so they can insert a catheter into the leg vein. Using real-time imaging, they thread the catheter to the end of the varicose vein.
Then they slowly withdraw the catheter while simultaneously releasing radiofrequency or laser energy. The heat from these treatments closes the veins. Then your body reabsorbs the treated veins and reroutes blood flow.
Ambulatory phlebectomy
After making small, slit-like incisions, your provider uses a special instrument to reach through the incision, grab the vein, and gently pull it out.
If you’re ready to eliminate varicose veins, call Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions, or book an appointment online.
