By: Robyn Darnell, FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
Venous insufficiency can affect a lot more than just the way a person looks. The pain, swelling, cramps and blood clots caused by varicose veins often have a huge negative impact on one’s quality of life. At FHW, we understand the need for timely and personal vein care that goes beyond outward appearance. Our vein clinic, led by general surgeon Dr. Andrew Morse, seeks to provide the best vein treatments possible, helping you get back on your feet and doing the things you love.
Varicose veins are the result of failed valves within your veins. The purpose of the veins in the legs is to bring the blood back to the heart. As the blood flows up those veins, it passes a series of valves. After passing through each value, the blood is prevented from flowing back down through the leg, similar to a check release valve or backflow prevention valve. However, over time those valves can fail and the blood can push back down into the leg. The weight of the blood pushing back down into the leg stretches the veins out, causing the valves to fail and resulting in venous insufficiency.
Venous insufficiency can be the result of genetics, but is often the result of a patient’s occupation. People who spend most of the day standing and walking around can be more likely to get venous insufficiency. “The most common people we see in the Vein Clinic are teachers, nurses, hairstylists, cashiers–people who spend all day on their feet,” Dr. Morse said.
There are two main types of treatments offered at the FHW vein clinic: ablation and sclerotherapy. During ablation, the skin surrounding the vein is numbed and then a catheter is fed into the vein. Energy is then fired into the catheter, which heats up and destroys the inner lining of the vein. After the catheter is removed it leaves a closed-off vein behind. However, in instances where the veins are too close to the skin to use ablation, we do a treatment called sclerotherapy. During sclerotherapy, the vein is injected with a medication called Polidocanol mixed with CO2, which causes the vein to spasm and scar shut.
These vein treatments are very minimally invasive and often only take about 20 minutes per appointment. Patients are able to walk around right after the procedure and usually experience very little pain. While the operation is very minor, the immediate impact they have on your life is anything but insignificant. “People are amazed at how much better their legs feel even after the first treatment,” Dr. Morse said. “It’s pretty amazing.”
The FHW Vein Clinic is built around comfort, safety, and proven results. You can count on us to provide warm, compassionate and patient-centered care paired with the expertise and innovation of Dr. Morse. Invest in yourself and your health by seeking the treatment that improves more than just the cosmetic.
For more information about the FHW Vein Clinic, visit https://fhw.org/services/vein/. Appointments are available by phone at 970-200-1740.
