Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers for your vein health journey.

Venous disease, also known as chronic venous insufficiency, occurs when the valves in your leg veins don't work effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the limbs. It is primarily caused by weakened or damaged vein walls and valves.
Varicose veins are larger, raised, and swollen blood vessels that move in a twisting pattern. Spider veins are smaller, red, purple, and blue vessels that also twist and turn but are easily visible through the skin, resembling a spider web.
Varicose veins are often a symptom of underlying venous disease (venous insufficiency). While varicose veins are the visible manifestation, venous disease refers to the actual failure of the circulatory system in the legs to pump blood back to the heart.
Common signs include visible varicose veins, swelling in the ankles and legs, heavy or aching legs, skin changes (like darkening or thickening), and in some cases, sores or ulcers on the legs that are slow to heal.
Symptoms include heavy/aching legs, swelling (edema), skin discoloration, itching, throbbing, cramping, and restless legs. Symptoms often worsen towards the end of the day or after prolonged standing.
You can call our office directly at 248-243-3935 or use our online self-assessment tool. Many patients are self-referred, meaning you don't always need a primary doctor's referral to start treatment.
Risk factors include age, family history of the condition, female gender (due to hormonal changes), pregnancy, obesity, and professions that require long periods of standing or sitting.
A consultation involves a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and often a vascular ultrasound to map the blood flow in your legs and identify any malfunctioning valves.
We offer several minimally invasive treatments including Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT), Radiofrequency Ablation, VenaSeal adhesive, Micro-phlebectomy, and Sclerotherapy.
If compression stockings are difficult to put on, try using 'donning aids' or silk liners. It's often easier to put them on first thing in the morning when swelling is at its lowest.
They apply graduated pressure to the legs, which helps the vein valves function better and assists the leg muscles in pumping blood back toward the heart.
A duplex ultrasound is the 'gold standard' for diagnosis. It allows us to physically see the veins and measure the direction and speed of blood flow.
Unless otherwise directed, wear them all day and take them off at night. Ensure they are pulled up smooth with no wrinkles, as folds can cause skin irritation.
Ablation uses heat (laser or radiofrequency) or medical adhesive (VenaSeal) to seal off the diseased vein. Once closed, blood is naturally redirected to healthy veins.
It's a minimally invasive, office-based procedure. We use local anesthesia to numb the area, insert a small catheter into the vein, and apply the treatment. It typically takes less than an hour.
Yes, sometimes the superficial bulging veins may take weeks or even months to shrink after the main underlying 'feeder' vein has been treated. In some cases, followup phlebectomy or sclerotherapy is needed.
By closing the source of the retrograde (backward) blood flow, it significantly reduces leg pain, swelling, and the risk of future complications like skin ulcers or blood clots.
Yes. After the main source is treated, any remaining visible veins can be treated with micro-phlebectomy or sclerotherapy for both medical and cosmetic relief.
There is essentially no downtime. We encourage walking immediately after. Most patients return to work the same day or the following day, avoiding only heavy lifting for about a week.
Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins. A specialized solution is injected into the tiny veins, causing them to collapse and eventually fade away.
Yes, most medically necessary vein treatments are covered by major insurance providers, including Medicare, if symptoms like pain or swelling are present.
Most patients report only mild tenderness or a 'tight' sensation in the leg. This can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil.
While you can't change your genetics, you can reduce risk by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding long periods of standing/sitting, and wearing compression stockings.
Complications are rare but can include bruising, temporary numbness, or very rarely, deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We perform follow-up scans to ensure safety.
Treated veins are permanently closed, but because venous insufficiency is often a chronic condition, new veins can become diseased over time. Regular checkups are recommended.
In most cases, we prefer to treat one leg at a time to ensure patient comfort and optimal recovery, though both legs can often be treated within a few days of each other.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and stay hydrated. You will likely need to stand for portions of the scan so we can accurately measure the effect of gravity on your circulation.
We generally recommend conservative management (like compression stockings) during pregnancy. Procedures are usually deferred until 3-6 months after delivery.
Medical-grade stockings can be purchased at specialty medical supply stores, and we can also provide recommendations or prescriptions for the correct size and pressure.

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