Varicose Veins are a common problem in the USA, afflicting as many at 25% of the adult population. The bulging, aching, and unsightly veins often appear as a result of an underlying medical condition called Venous Insufficiency. In the past, treatment of the condition was limited to either painful vein stripping or a lifetime of compression stockings. Fortunately, today we can correct Venous Insufficiency with a minimally invasive procedure called VNUS Closure. The procedure itself is completed in a matter of minutes in an office setting. Closure is covered by most insurance plans and patients can return to normal activity the same day. If necessary, after VNUS Closure, residual veins may be cleared using another minimally invasive treatment called Sclerotherapy.

The Closure Procedure treats the underlying cause of Varicose Veins. The procedure works by closing the damaged veins below the skin surface that allow abnormal pressure to build in the bulging skin veins. After the malfunctioning veins are closed, pressure is redirected back into the deep vein of the leg. With correction of the abnormal pressure often the bulging veins at the skin surface flatten, fade and may even disappear completely. Any residual veins may be addressed with cosmetic techniques such as Sclerotherapy once adequate time has been allowed (6-8 weeks) to assess the response following Closure.

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive technique where a fine needle is used to inject a medication called sclerosant into the diseased veins at the skin surface. As the sclerosant passes through the vein, the blood vessel closes. The vein disappears as the medicine travels. See a video on our website here: mdveinprofessionals.com/video/Sclerotherapy.mov

Sclerotherapy should not be performed if there is untreated Venous Insufficiency as this condition will reduce the effect of the injections. We have seen many patients who had Sclerotherapy treatment elsewhere only to have the veins reappear a few weeks later. Often when we assess them we find that these patients have untreated Venous Insufficiency. A duplex ultrasound evaluation by a specialist trained in Venous Imaging is used to detect the condition.

At Maryland Vein Professionals, we advocate a strict minimally invasive approach. I have heard many patients who were seen elsewhere first relate that they were told they must under go a form of vein stripping called phlebectomy. This procedure where the skin is cut and the veins are excised surgically. While it is true that this may be necessary in rare cases of complex anatomy or severe, longstanding disease, we find that the vast majority of patients can be successfully treated without surgical vein stripping.

Please visit our Website, www.MDVeinProfessionals.com  for before and after images and over 100 patient testimonials. Call us at 410-268-5347(LEGS), 410-964-VEIN (8346) or 877-7MD-VEIN for a complimentary evaluation.