For a decade, long pants were non-negotiable. Pool parties were stressful. Summer was something to endure rather than enjoy — because of the rope-like, twisted, blue-purple veins running down both legs.
Maybe you’ve felt the same way. Or maybe your varicose veins don’t bother you cosmetically — they just ache at the end of a long day, swell up in the heat, or cramp at night and won’t let you sleep.
Either way, here’s something that might surprise you: treating varicose veins today is often faster, easier, and less painful than most people assume. And it’s not just cosmetic — unhealthy veins can have real health consequences if left untreated.
What Are Varicose Veins — and Why Do They Happen?
Veins carry blood back to the heart. To do this in your legs — against gravity — they rely on tiny one-way valves that open and close with each heartbeat. When those valves weaken or fail, blood pools in the vein instead of moving upward. The vein stretches, twists, and becomes the enlarged, visible varicose vein you see (and feel) under the skin.
Varicose veins are very common, affecting about 1 in 3 adults. They tend to run in families and become more common with age, pregnancy, prolonged standing, and excess weight.
Are Varicose Veins Just a Cosmetic Problem?
Not always. For many people, varicose veins cause real, daily symptoms:
- Aching, throbbing, or heaviness in the legs — especially after standing
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
- Itching or burning around the vein
- Leg cramps, particularly at night
- Skin changes near the ankles — darkening, thickening, or rashes
- In severe cases, open sores (venous ulcers) that are slow to heal
Leaving significant varicose veins untreated can lead to chronic venous insufficiency — a progressive condition that becomes harder to manage over time.
How Are Varicose Veins Treated Today?
The days of vein stripping surgery — where problematic veins were literally pulled out of the leg — are largely behind us. Today’s treatments are minimally invasive, performed in an outpatient setting, and require little to no downtime.
Common interventional options include:
- Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) or Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A thin fiber or catheter is inserted into the diseased vein through a tiny puncture. Heat energy closes the vein from the inside. The body naturally reroutes blood through healthy veins nearby
- Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected directly into smaller varicose or spider veins, causing them to collapse and fade over a few weeks
- VenaSeal: Medical adhesive is used to close the diseased vein — no heat, no tumescent anesthesia
Most procedures take 30–60 minutes. Patients walk out of the office the same day and are encouraged to resume normal activity immediately.
✓ Modern varicose vein treatments have high success rates and low complication rates.
✓ Treatment is covered by most insurance plans when symptoms are documented (aching, swelling, skin changes).
✓ Compression stockings may be required for a short period after treatment.
✓ Most patients need 1–3 treatment sessions depending on the extent of disease.
What to Expect After Treatment
Most people return to work and light activity the same day. You’ll likely be asked to wear compression stockings for 1–2 weeks, walk regularly, and avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Bruising and mild soreness are normal and resolve quickly. Full cosmetic results — especially for surface veins — develop over several weeks.
Who Should Be Evaluated?
- Anyone with visible varicose veins causing physical symptoms (aching, swelling, cramping)
- Patients with skin changes or wounds near the ankles
- People who have worn compression stockings for months without adequate relief
- Anyone whose varicose veins are affecting quality of life — physically or emotionally
You don’t have to hide your legs or push through the discomfort. Treatment is easier than ever — and for many patients, it’s life-changing.
Contact us today to schedule your vein evaluation.