Varicose Veins Specialist

What are varicose veins? 

Varicose veins are those that become twisted and contorted under the skin, showing through as purple coils and sometimes bulging out. While this can happen anywhere, varicose veins are most often found on the legs.

Very often, varicose veins are unsightly but don’t cause any discomfort or unpleasant symptoms. However, varicose veins can sometimes be painful and irritating, making your legs ache and feel uncomfortable. In the most serious cases, blood clots can form in a varicose vein, or you may develop ulcers.

What causes varicose veins?

A vascular issue, varicose veins develop as a result of a problem with the valves inside your veins. These valves operate a one-way system around the network of veins, allowing blood to flow back to your heart but preventing it from flowing the other way.

If the valves sustain damage or weaken, they can’t seal off the vein, and blood starts leaking back through the valve, away from the heart. The blood causes veins to swell and show through the skin, and it can pool along the vein, causing the rope-like appearance of severe varicose veins.

Anyone can develop varicose veins, but you have an increased risk if you are:

• Female
• Middle-aged or older
• Pregnant
• Obese or overweight
• Stand or sit without moving for extended periods

If other people in your family have varicose veins, it also increases the likelihood that you’ll develop them.

How are varicose veins treated?

Dr. Saint-Jacques has several effective treatment methods for eradicating varicose veins, including:

Sclerotherapy

To carry out sclerotherapy, Dr. Saint-Jacques injects a solution into small and medium-sized varicose veins that seals them off. Blood reroutes through alternative, healthy veins, and after a few weeks, the varicose veins fade away.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy works by using concentrated light pulses that shrivel the varicose vein and seal it off. The vein then fades and disappears.

Radiofrequency ablation

A catheter-assisted procedure that uses radiofrequency waves to collapse the varicose vein and seal it off.

High ligation and vein stripping

Vein stripping involves removing the varicose veins through incisions in the leg.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

This procedure is similar to stripping but for smaller veins, using small punctures rather than incisions.

Endoscopic vein surgery

If you have a severe problem with varicose veins or develop a leg ulcer, Dr. Saint-Jacques can use an endoscopic camera to see the affected veins, close them off, and remove them.

To learn more about varicose vein removal, call Harlem Cardiology on Madison Avenue or book an appointment online today.