Effective Treatments for Vein Pain: What You Need to Know

Varicose and spider veins are enlarged, twisted and bulging vessels close to the surface of the skin. They can cause pain and cosmetic concerns. At Center for Advanced Vein Care, these conditions are carefully evaluated to identify the underlying cause. Varicose veins occur when the valves that help blood flow back to your heart weaken and stretch, or when you have a health condition that increases pressure on your veins.

Treatments for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins develop when the tiny one-way valves inside your veins stop working correctly. These valves help blood move in the right direction toward your heart. When these valves fail, blood pools in the vein and becomes swollen and raised above the surface of your skin.

The swollen veins create pressure on the surrounding tissues, which trigger pain receptors. This pressure also can cause the vein to leak blood and clots.

Treatments for varicose veins include medications and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time. Vein doctors can recommend a minimally invasive procedure to relieve your symptoms and prevent further problems.

Thrombolysis, which dissolves blood clots, is a treatment for people at risk for DVT or pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). Other treatments include ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, in which your provider injects a chemical solution into your varicose vein. This causes a reaction that closes the damaged vein. Larger varicose veins may need a surgical procedure called ligation and stripping, in which your doctor ties off the affected vein before it joins with another deep vein, then removes the vein through small cuts in your skin.

Treatments for Spider Veins

Spider veins are red, blue or purple clusters of blood vessels that appear on the legs and sometimes on the face. In some cases, they cause pain and itching. Some people are more prone to spider veins than others, including those with close biological relatives who have them and those who frequently stand or sit for long periods. Wearing support stockings may minimize these unwanted blood vessels, as can weight control and propping up the legs while sitting or standing.

Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins, a minimally invasive procedure in which a vein specialist injects a special solution into each affected vein. This causes the vein to collapse and fade over time as your body naturally reabsorbs it. Laser treatments also are available for smaller spider veins, especially those on the face. You might need multiple sessions to see results. Be sure to tell your vascular surgeon if you think you have a potential allergy to sclerosing solution.

Treatments for Dilated Veins

Veins are a part of the body’s complex system of blood flow. When varicose veins appear, they may cause symptoms that include aching, itching or a feeling of heaviness in the legs. These symptoms are caused by the increased pressure on the veins from dilated and twisted blood vessels.

When vein disease is left untreated, the condition can worsen over time. Eventually, the symptoms become more severe and can lead to skin sores in the lower leg. Symptoms can be relieved with treatment from a vascular surgeon.

A vascular surgeon can treat varicose veins by surgically removing them. Surgical options include ambulatory phlebectomy, where varicose veins are removed through small holes or cuts along the path of the enlarged vein. Other options include endovenous laser ablation, where a catheter is placed in the abnormal vein and sealed shut by thermal energy. Foam sclerotherapy is also an option for treating large varicose veins. It involves injecting a solution into the affected vein, which closes off the blood vessel and is gradually absorbed by the body.

Treatments for Deep Veins

For severe and life-threatening blood clots, we offer a variety of medications that help thin the blood, dissolve existing clots, and improve vein tone. These medications are usually prescribed after a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, most commonly in the calf or thigh. These clots prevent the blood from flowing properly, leading to pain, swelling and warmth in the affected area. If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate treatment to avoid complications such as a pulmonary embolism or chronic venous insufficiency.

Medications are often used to treat DVT and other conditions that cause varicose and spider veins, including venous ulcers. We may also prescribe compression stockings to alleviate symptoms and encourage blood flow through the veins. In some cases, our doctors may recommend a minimally invasive procedure called sclerotherapy. This procedure involves injecting a chemical into the affected vein, which causes it to collapse and fade over time.

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