Varicose veins affect about 23% of all adults in America, though women have double the risk compared to men. Whether your varicose veins are a cosmetic problem or they cause severe symptoms, Michael Kassouf, MD, and the team at Vein Doc NYC have years of experience successfully eliminating varicose veins using safe, outpatient procedures. To schedule an appointment, call the office in the Midtown East area of New York City or use the online booking system.

Varicose Veins

What causes varicose veins?

The veins in your legs work against gravity to carry blood back to your heart. Muscle movement helps push blood along, but the veins primarily rely on a series of one-way valves to keep blood flowing up your legs. These valves open to let blood flow up, then close to prevent it from refluxing down the vein.

When a valve weakens or fails to function, blood goes backward, but the next healthy valve below the damaged valve stops it. As the blood pools between the two valves, enlarged and twisted varicose veins develop. Over time, the problem worsens as the pooled blood and reduced blood flow increase pressure in leg veins, and other valves sustain damage.

What symptoms develop due to varicose veins?

For some patients, varicose veins don’t cause symptoms, they’re primarily a cosmetic problem as the large, twisted, blue and purple veins, often bulge out from the skin’s surface. If symptoms develop, you may experience:

  • Leg aches or pain
  • Legs that feel heavy or tired
  • Burning or itching near the affected veins
  • Skin discoloration
  • Skin rash
  • Night cramps
  • Leg swelling

Whether your symptoms are mild, severe, or non-existent, you can develop complications. Untreated varicose veins may cause blood clots, a non-healing wound called a venous stasis ulcer, or bleeding if the vein ruptures.

How are varicose veins treated?

As experts in vein treatment, the doctors at Vein Doc NYC offer holistic care for their patients, helping them make lifestyle changes that support healthy veins and providing treatments such as: 

Compression stockings

Compression stockings place pressure on your lower legs, which promotes blood flow and reduces swelling.

Sclerotherapy

Your doctor at Vein Doc NYC uses a fine needle to inject medication into the vein. The medication damages the vein, creating scar tissue that your body gradually absorbs. As a result, the vein disappears, and blood flow reroutes through healthy veins.

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)

Using ultrasound to visualize your veins, your doctor guides a small laser fiber through the varicose vein. Then your Vein Doc NYC doctor slowly withdraws the laser. As the fiber passes through the varicose area, it sends out pulses of laser energy that close the vein and produce scarring. Over time, the vein shrinks and disappears.

Phlebectomy

An ambulatory phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure in which your doctor removes varicose veins through tiny punctures or incisions in the skin near the vein. Since the veins collapse easily, your doctor at Vein Doc NYC can remove large veins through small incisions. 

If you want your varicose veins eliminated for cosmetic reasons, or you need them treated due to symptoms, call Vein Doc NYC or schedule an appointment online.