Coastal Georgia Vein Center: Dr. Greg Martin

Myths and Facts about Leg Vein Disease.

Fact and Fiction: Dispelling Misperceptions about Vein Disease

Many people have misperceptions about vein disease.
Here are some of the most common erroneous notions and the actual facts:

Misperceptions and Facts

Leg discomfort is a normal part of aging
Vein diseases aren't particularly important or serious
Vein disease treatments are painful and scarring
Vein treatments are often ineffective and short-lived
Vein treatments can actually cause future vein problems
Vein operations are severely debilitating and require extensive recovery periods
Vein Surgery is Expensive
Vein treatments are only for vain people

Misperception: Leg discomfort is a normal part of aging.

FACT: Pain, heaviness, swelling, or fatigue in the legs is abnormal at any age. However, untreated vein problems do worsen with age because your veins are in a constant battle against two powerful enemies: time and gravity. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, you should consult a vein specialist.

Misperception: Vein diseases aren't particularly important or serious.

FACT: Vein diseases are a tremendous health problem. According to the American College of Phlebology, varicose and spider veins affect more than 80 million adult Americans. Because of vein disease, it’s estimated that in the United States alone more than 4.6 million work days are lost each year.

But that’s just the beginning. The most significant burden is borne by the affected individuals and their families.

• Patients with varicose veins and venous insufficiency problems run serious long-term risks of blood clot, phlebitis, and pulmonary embolism. These can be life-threatening concerns.

• Leg pain and swelling can cause significant discomfort. In advanced cases, these disabilities can interfere with work and other important aspects of life.

• Venous insufficiency problems seem to be worsening in recent years, especially among women. Perhaps that’s because Americans today typically spend less time walking and exercising, and more time sitting at desks, in cars, and in front of televisions. Some medical authorities have labeled the increase in vein disease an epidemic.

• Vein disease can develop into wounds, especially in the lower legs, that can be extremely debilitating and stubborn to treat.

• Vein disease can cause rashes, discoloring of skin, and severe scarring of skin and soft tissue.

• Unsightly vein disease can seriously damage self-esteem and impair quality of life.

• Vein disease is vastly under-diagnosed and under-treated. Even many physicians are unaware of the significance of these health problems.

Misperception: Vein disease treatments are painful and scarring.

FACT: Many of the old methods for treating vein problems were painful, and some left unsightly scars. The "vein-stripping" procedures previously used to treat varicose veins are one example. The hypertonic-saline injections once used to treat spider veins are another.

But times have changed! The open, invasive vein operations of past years have been superseded by minimally invasive techniques that leave virtually no scars, even in the most advanced cases of varicose veins. And today’s procedures—which utilize laser surgery, ultrasound guidance, and other technological advances—entail little discomfort.

Misperception: Vein treatments are often ineffective and short-lived.

FACT: A decade ago vein surgery was indeed far less effective. After treatment for varicose veins, upwards of 85 to 90 percent of patients experienced a recurrence of the disease sometime during their lifetimes.

Although it's still somewhat true that venous insufficiency can never be completely cured, when procedures are performed by experienced and capable physicians using modern techniques, the statistics are reversed. Instead of a recurrence rate of 90 percent, 90 percent or better of varicose vein patients may never need further treatment.

Similar good news applies to spider veins. Today, a good series of spider vein treatments by an experienced medical practitioner utilizing state-of-the-art techniques can clear 98 percent or more of the disease. And such treatments may prevent 85 percent or more of abnormal veins from recurring. The great majority of vein patients have good lifetime benefits, though occasional follow-up treatments should be considered.

Misperception: Vein treatments can actually cause future vein problems.

FACT: Unfortunately, this used to be true. The older treatment methods, which involved the cutting and dividing of veins, could increase the probability of future vein problems. Consequently, it was not unusual to hear patients say, “I had vein treatments, but my veins came back!”

Modern vein procedures attack the root of the problem. They seal off the abnormal veins so they cease to function. To use a gardening analogy, the old methods were like cutting weeds off above ground, and the new methods pull them up by the roots.

Mispercetions: Vein operations are severely debilitating and require extensive recovery periods.

FACT: That was true a few years ago, when most vein operations took place in hospitals under general anesthesia. Typically patients could not resume their normal activities for four to six weeks. But treatments with today's advanced techniques are almost always performed in Dr. Martin’s office using local anesthesia, so most patients can return to work in one to three days. In two to five days they're able to walk a few miles.

Misperception: Vein Surgery is Expensive.

FACT: Today’s advanced medical procedures are performed in a doctor’s office, which means that fees for hospital services, ambulatory surgery center services, and general anesthesia are eliminated. Costs to insurance companies and patients are decreased by 80 percent or more.

The national average for state-of-the-art spider vein procedures is about $250 for a 30-minute session. Most patients need three to six treatments. Using this national average as a guide, the total cost for a complete regimen typically runs between $750 and $1,500.

Treatments for varicose veins are more expensive than treatments for spider veins. But because they’re performed in an office setting, they're considerably less expensive today than they were ten years ago. Furthermore, these costs are usually covered by insurance.

Misperception: Vein treatments are only for vain people.

FACT: Vein disease can have serious negative effects on self-esteem and quality of life. Many patients with spider or varicose veins are too embarrassed to wear shorts, skirts, or sandals, even in the heat of summer. Cosmetic considerations are important wellness issues.

Furthermore, treatments that at first simply appear to be cosmetic frequently turn out to be medical necessities. Vein problems are often accompanied by leg pain and swelling, and they can lead to more serious complications, such as blood clots, rashes, and leg wounds.