Varicose Veins
More than Meets the Eye

Jacques Tham, MD
Radiology
Chippewa Valley Vein Center
Eau Claire

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There is more to varicose veins than meets the eye. Most people think of varicose veins purely as a cosmetic issue, but in reality they are much more. Varicose veins are a real medical condition which can cause significant symptoms. These symptoms can be bad enough to impair not only work activities, but also the activities of daily life. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications.

Varicose veins can cause a number of symptoms in the legs including pain, soreness, numbness, tingling, itching, night cramps and even restless leg symptoms. The appearance of varicose veins can also lead to social embarrassment and prevent people from participating in activities they enjoy. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to complications including superficial thrombophlebitis (clotting and inflammation in small veins), bleeding and venous stasis ulcers. If blood clots in varicose veins extend into deep veins, this is called a deep venous thrombosis or DVT. If such a clot dislodges, it can migrate to the lungs and cause a potentially life threatening condition called pulmonary embolism.

Varicose veins are an exceedingly common medical condition occurring in 25% of all women and 15% of men. They affect 50% of individuals over age 50. Risk factors for developing varicose veins include increasing age, family history, female gender, multiple pregnancies and previous episodes of blood clots in veins.

Traditionally, varicose veins were treated by surgical stripping, a painful procedure requiring general anesthesia, a hospital stay and weeks of recovery. Fortunately, new less invasive technologies have been developed to treat varicose veins. Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) uses laser energy to close varicose veins from the inside. The procedure takes only 45 minutes and is performed right in the clinic with local anesthetic. Normal activities can be resumed almost immediately, and most patients return to work the very next day. In addition to being safer and less painful than surgical stripping, studies have shown EVLT to also be much more successful. Most, if not all, insurance companies cover EVLT for the treatment of symptomatic varicose veins.

In conclusion, varicose veins are much more than just a cosmetic issue. They are a real medical condition which can cause significant symptoms and lead to serious complications. With EVLT, varicose veins can be treated in a safe and effective manner with only minimal discomfort. Achy legs and unsightly veins can soon become a distant memory.

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Dr. Tham – Chippewa Valley Vein Center
For information or to schedule an appointment:
715.832.2200 | cvveincenter.com
Dr. Tham sees patients in Eau Claire.