Patient Education
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Conditions
Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins
Discusses causes and symptoms of twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin called varicose veins. Covers treatment with self-care, sclerotherapy, endovenous laser, and radiofrequency. Includes vein surgery called ligation and stripping.
Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins near the surface of the skin. They’re caused by faulty valves in the veins or weak vein walls. Varicose veins usually occur on the legs, but they can also affect the vulva. They are common during pregnancy. When the growing uterus puts pressure on the veins that return blood…
Compression Stockings for Varicose Veins
Compression stockings can improve blood flow and help relieve the symptoms of varicose veins. Specially fitted, or graduated, compression stockings are tightest at the foot. They gradually loosen as they fit higher on the leg. If your doctor recommends compression stockings, wear them during the day to help relieve…
Questions About Varicose Vein Treatment
If you are considering a procedure or surgery for varicose veins, weigh the following before proceeding: How much do the exam and treatment cost? Does your insurance cover part of the cost? Will you need more than one treatment? Be very cautious about clinics that require you to sign a contract for a specific number of…
Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure?
Discusses reasons to have or not have surgery or a procedure for varicose veins. Includes info on endovenous ablation, ligation and stripping surgery, sclerotherapy, external laser treatment, and microphlebectomy. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Continue reading: Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure?
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Venous Insufficiency
Learn the basics about venous insufficiency, including what causes it and how it is treated.
Venous Skin Ulcer
What is a venous skin ulcer? A skin ulcer is a type of wound that develops on the skin. A venous skin ulcer is a shallow wound that occurs when the leg veins don’t return blood back toward the heart the way they should. This is called venous insufficiency. These ulcers usually form on the sides of the lower leg, above…
Venous Skin Ulcers: Home Treatment
Venous skin ulcers develop when the lower leg veins are weakened and cannot efficiently move the blood back toward the heart. Pooled blood and fluid in the lower legs then leads to tissue breakdown. You can prevent or heal a venous skin ulcer by helping your blood circulate back toward your heart. Elevate your legs…
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, usually in the legs. These clots require medical care right away. These clots are dangerous because they can break loose, travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, and block…
Blood Clots in the Leg Veins
Blood clots can happen in veins. A blood clot in a vein close to the skin isn’t likely to cause problems. But having blood clots in deep veins is called deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis happens most often in the legs. This problem can lead to a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). The deep veins of…
Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis From Travel
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, usually in the legs. A DVT can be dangerous because it can break loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. There it can block blood flow in the lungs (pulmonary…
Continue reading: Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis From Travel
Pregnancy: Blood Clots
Learn what blood clots are and how they can happen during and after pregnancy.
Post-Thrombotic Syndrome
What is post-thrombotic syndrome? Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or deep vein blood clot. After a while, this blood clot (usually in your leg), can damage the vein. Damage to the vein can lead to more pressure in the veins. The increased pressure can cause long-term…
Services & Procedures
Minimally Invasive Vein Treatments
Sclerotherapy
Describes sclerotherapy to treat varicose and spider veins. Looks at how well sclerotherapy works and what to expect after treatment. Discusses risks.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Varicose Veins
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. (Ablation means a doctor uses heat to damage tissue. This makes scar tissue form. The scar tissue closes the vein.) This technique uses radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein. This usually…
Continue reading: Radiofrequency Ablation for Varicose Veins
Phlebectomy
Phlebectomy (say “fluh-BEK-tuh-mee”) is a procedure used to remove varicose veins. Your doctor will make several tiny cuts (incisions) in the skin. The varicose veins are removed through the cuts. Stitches usually aren’t needed. The procedure is also called microphlebectomy, ambulatory phlebectomy, and stab avulsion…
Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins
Discusses treating varicose and spider veins with a laser. Covers simple and endovenous laser treatment. Looks at sclerotherapy. Discusses why laser treatment is done and what to expect after treatment. Covers how well it works and possible side effects.
Surgical Options
Vein Ligation and Stripping
Vein ligation and stripping is a minor surgery. It is used to remove one or more varicose veins. These are twisted, swollen veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. The surgery can also be done to prevent venous skin ulcers from coming back after treatment. You may be asleep…
Other Vascular Surgeries
Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery
A femoropopliteal bypass is a type of surgery. It is also called a fem-pop or leg artery bypass. This type of surgery redirects blood around a narrowed or blocked blood vessel in your leg. So it may improve the blood flow in your leg. This can decrease leg pain, numbness, and cramping. Your doctor will use something…
Femoral-Tibial Bypass Surgery
Femoral-tibial bypass is a type of surgery. It redirects blood around narrowed or blocked blood vessels in your lower leg or foot. It may be done if blood flow is severely limited. Your doctor will use something called a graft to make the blood go around (bypass) the blocked part of your blood vessel. Often the graft is…
Aortobifemoral Bypass Surgery
An aortobifemoral bypass is surgery to move blood flow around narrowed or blocked blood vessels in your belly or groin area. This will increase blood flow to your legs. This may relieve symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, and cramping. You may be able to walk longer distances without leg pain. The doctor will use a…
Tests & Diagnostics
Doppler Ultrasound
A Doppler ultrasound test uses reflected sound waves to see how blood flows through a blood vessel. It helps doctors assess the blood flow through major arteries and veins, such as those of the arms, legs, and neck. It can show blocked or reduced…
D-Dimer Test
A d-dimer test is a blood test that measures a substance that is released when a blood clot breaks up. Doctors order the d-dimer test, along with other lab tests and imaging scans, to help check for blood-clotting problems. A d-dimer test can also be used to check how well a treatment is working.
Medications & Management
Warfarin: Taking Your Medicine Safely
Warfarin is a medicine that you take to prevent blood clots. It is often called a blood thinner. Doctors give warfarin to reduce the risk of blood clots. You may be at risk for blood clots if you have atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis.
Related / Broader Circulation Topics
Heart and Circulation
Provides link to info on high cholesterol and cholesterol/triglyceride tests. Also has links to info on coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease of the legs, plus tools to decide about treatment options.
Leg Problems, Noninjury
Briefly discusses symptoms of leg problems not caused by injury. Covers symptoms like pain, swelling, cramps, numbness, tingling, weakness, and lumps and bumps under the skin. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have a Procedure or Surgery?
Guides you through the decision to have a procedure or surgery for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Covers what PAD is and how it is treated. Covers risks. Lists reasons for and against having a procedure or surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.
Continue reading: Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have a Procedure or Surgery?