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| Remove unsightly varicose veins in the
legs and thighs with our advanced
treatments. |
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| Laser & Sclerotherapy procedures
to permanently remove spider
veins on the legs and thighs. |
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"...I can't believe how beau-
tiful my legs look!" |
| Samantha L |
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| Soothing antioxidant cream designed to
strengthen body's defenses against
unsightly varicose and spider veins. |
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Varicose Veins
The Santa Monica Vein Center is a National Center of Excellence for Varicose Vein Disorders. |
Varicose veins are a very common condition found in both men and women of all age groups. In fact, over 45% of men and over 75% of women in their sixties have varicose veins. Varicose veins and spider veins may cause a variety of symptoms, including bulging leg veins, leg pain, leg discomfort, leg tiredness, leg swelling and edema, leg itching, leg cramps, and leg discoloration. If any of these symptoms are caused by varicose veins, they may be relieved by a variety of simple treatments that are performed without anesthesia in a clinic setting.
Varicose veins arise from poorly functioning vein valves as well as a weakness in the vein wall. They can occur in the ankles, legs, or thighs and can become quite enlarged with age. In some women, varicose veins and spider veins may become worse with pregnancy.
When varicose veins become prominent, they can be seen through the skin and may develop a purple or bluish color. If the skin over the varicose vein becomes thin, the area may ulcerate and may occasionally cause uncontrollable bleeding. Bleeding varicose veins and ulcerations are not uncommon in patients who have large and/or neglected varicose veins.These patients should seek immediate attention to improve their symptoms. |
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More commonly, however, varicose veins cause milder symptoms such as leg pain and leg swelling. It is common for patients to describe a family history of varicose veins in their mother, father, or aunts and uncles.
Various treatments are available at any stage of varicose vein disease. Even in the latter stages, there is significant benefit to be gained by newer, non-invasive techniques such as endovenous radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins (VNUS Closure) or laser- |
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| (EVLT). In either case, a micro-incision is made in the thigh to heat and close off one of the troublesome veins using a specialized venous catheter. Another procedure is a |
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microsurgical phlebectomy, wherein tiny incisions are made overlying very troublesome varicose veins in order to remove them from the body.
These procedures are meant to improve circulation and many patients ask how the circulation improves when you remove the veins.
The answer is fairly simple. Patients with large varicose veins essentially have 'pools' of blood in their varicose veins that are not efficiently |
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circulating blood through the venous circulation. The heart really has to work harder to pump blood through these many redundant varicose vein channels. When we remove these defective varicose veins, the blood is channeled through more efficient veins in our legs.
Most procedures to treat varicose veins are performed in a clinic setting and do not require hospitalization. You may drive home after the procedure or return to work if you like. Most varicose vein procedures employ a technique called 'single-stitch' varicose vein surgery where the whole procedure is performed using a micro-incision and closed with a single, tiny, stitch placed in the leg. |
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| Diagnosing Varicose Veins: |
The diagnosis of varicose veins or venous insufficiency begins with a thorough history and physical. A patient’s history is very important in the initial consultation as most patients will describe a family history of varicose veins, especially in the mother or father. Our office is inundated with patient’s whose mother or father either neglected their painful varicose veins or who had major and painful surgery many years ago. They are often surprised to find out that the same varicose vein surgeries that required hospitalization ten years ago now can be done in twenty minutes with a ‘single-stitch’ with no downtime.
During the consultation, varicose veins are examined with a special vein lite and ultrasound in order to map out and document the presence of varicose vein disease. The ultrasound examination provides a real time and detailed view of the lower extremity venous system. Thankfully, neither the varicose vein consultation, the varicose vein transillumination, or the varicose vein ultrasound is painful. The diagnostic tests are all painless techniques. In fact, after a full consultation, most patients are extremely relieved that the answer to their varicose vein problems can be accomplished in as little as twenty minutes in an outpatient clinic setting.
During the ultrasound examination, patients are often surprised to see how extensive and complicated their varicose veins are and how close the varicose veins are beneath the skin. The ultrasound map often depicts details not visible from surface examination of the skin, that is, details that make treatment more effective.
Since each patient and each patient’s leg (right and left) are uniquely different, the varicose vein map helps us configure the optimal plan to eliminate abnormal bulging veins and hidden varicose veins. |
| Santa Monica Vein Center is a National Center Excellence for Varicose Vein Disorders. |
| VNUS Closure Procedure. EVLT Varicose Veins. Sclerotherapy. Microphlebectomy. Varicose Vein Stripping. Varicose Vein Surgery. Laser Spider Vein Removal. Telangiectasia Removal. |
Contact:
We are located in the St. John's Hospital Medical Plaza on the corner of Arizona and 20th Street. Consultation for varicose veins and spider veins.
Santa Monica Vein Center
1301 20th Street, Suite 240
Santa Monica, CA 90404
T: (310) 998-5533
M-F: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
www.santamonicaveincenter.com |
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| Santa Monica Vein Center is a National Center of Excellence for Vein Disorders. |
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