Vein Care
If you have concerns about varicose veins, turn to UC San Diego Health for expert diagnosis and personalized treatment options.
About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels in your lower body. When your vein walls are weak and your valves don’t work correctly, blood pools in your legs. This creates blue and purple bulges on your legs, feet or ankles.
Varicose veins can be uncomfortable and visible evidence of underlying venous reflux disease (blood flow in the wrong direction). Left untreated, venous reflux disease can lead to chronic venous insufficiency, a more serious condition.
Risk Factors for Vein Problems
- Age (40+)
- Being female
- Family history
- Heavy lifting
- Multiple pregnancies
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing
Signs and Symptoms of Venous Reflux Disease
- Varicose veins
- Leg or ankle swelling
- Leg heaviness and fatigue
- Leg pain, aching or cramping
- Burning or itching skin
- Restless legs
- Skin changes or rashes
- Ulcers, open wounds or sores
Varicose Vein Treatment and Recovery
We offer the latest procedures to close or remove varicose veins in the legs, including:
- Thermal ablation, a minimally invasive treatment that closes the veins using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or endovenous laser treatment (EVLT)
- Non-thermal ablation with VenaSeal, a type of surgical glue for vein ablation
Both procedures successfully close the treated veins over 95% of the time with excellent reduction in symptoms and minimal side effects.
We may also use foam sclerotherapy with a local injection of a solution to treat small varicose or reticular veins. Phlebectomy may also be performed to remove small pieces of varicose veins through tiny incisions.
Your First Appointment
Our specialists will see you for an initial evaluation to review your symptoms and the results of your vascular ultrasound, also known as a duplex study. We will also discuss measures such as exercise, weight loss and leg elevation. Compression socks are often recommended before a treatment procedure.
Recovery
Varicose vein treatment does not require anesthesia and typically lasts for one hour. Patients return home after the procedure, and many return to work the next day. You will be able to walk immediately and complete most daily activities.