“We offer many treatment options to treat and get rid of your varicose veins – schedule a consultation with us to discuss your treatment options and learn more”
Varicose Veins can cause discomfort and other problems, and get in the way of you living your life. At the Fairfax Vascular Center, your varicose veins can be treated quickly and easily with one of our minimally invasive outpatient procedures. Get simple, safe, and effective treatment from the region’s top vein and vascular specialists. Our treatments allow you to go home the same day after your procedure.
Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing away from the heart. When these valves malfunction, blood flows backwards across these “leaky valves” and refluxes away the heart. This causes the veins to swell, resulting in varicose veins in the legs. Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, often rope-like veins that are dark blue or purple in color. You may feel a heavy feeling in your legs, which is often worse after standing or sitting for long periods of time. You may also experience itching, throbbing, burning, cramping, or swelling in the legs. Ultimately, these may lead to long term consequences such as bleeding, skin infections, and ulceration. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and some patients may not have any symptoms other than the visible look of the veins.
The Fairfax Vascular Center was built with the patient in mind, designed to make your procedure as easy and as comfortable as possible. When you come to our state-of-the-art facility, you’ll find something remarkable:
Advanced equipment often only found in the area’s top hospitals
The region’s leading vein and vascular specialists – our doctors also work at the area’s top hospitals
A one on one consultation and personalized treatment plan
Convenient and free parking right next to the center in a covered parking garage or parking lot
Although I was initially skeptical about having vein surgery, the pain and associated distress became too debilitating to endure. After doing some research, I decided on Dr. Spinosa as my vascular specialist. It was the best decision I ever made! If I had known how much better my leg would feel, I would have had this procedure done years prior. I truly experienced remarkable improvement and being that I work on my feet all day I cannot be more grateful for Dr. Spinosa. I highly recommend anyone with painful vascular issues to contact Dr. Spinosa, because your only regret will be that you did not do it sooner! I am sincerely thankful!
We offer several minimally invasive treatment options – all designed to be easy and effective and allow you to go home the same day. Our treatment options include:
Laser ablation (VenaCure™) uses an endovenous laser (within the vein) to treat varicose veins. Also known as endovenous ablation or ELVS or EVLT, it is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Under local anesthesia, using ultrasound as a guide, the interventional radiologist inserts a small laser fiber into the vein. A precise dose of energy produced by the laser collapses the vein and reroutes the circulation to other healthy veins. This is a low-risk treatment that improves circulation, and alleviates the symptoms of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. VenaCure™ takes about 30 minutes, and this endovenous laser ablation procedure is the primary treatment option used on varicose veins at the Fairfax Vascular Center.
Advantages of laser ablation
Patients are sent home after the endovenous laser ablation procedure. Normal activities can be resumed after the procedure; however, air travel and long car trips should be avoided for three weeks. It is likely that you will see some bruising; however, you should not have any swelling. Compression stockings are worn for three weeks during the daytime, and walking is encouraged. Hot baths, running, and heavy lifting are to be avoided for two weeks. Follow-up visits are scheduled for one week, and four weeks later. Our vein specialists will also do a follow-up duplex ultrasound at the one month visit to ensure the vein is successfully treated.
Microphlebectomy, also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure used when varicose veins are so close to the skin that it is the easier to access them directly. Under local anesthesia, the physician makes tiny nicks in the skin, and then painlessly removes the varicose vein in sections with a tiny hook-like microphlebectomy instrument. The small nicks do not need sutures, and instead are closed with tape. The treated leg is then wrapped in a thin dressing and a compression stocking. There is no general anesthesia used for the microphlebectomy procedure, but you may be offered a sedative to help relax.
Advantages of Microphlebectomy
Patients return home after the procedure. Microphlebectomy causes some bruising which resolves in two to three weeks. Normal activities can be resumed after the procedure, and walking is recommended. Compression stockings are worn for three weeks during the daytime. Air travel and long car trips should be avoided for three weeks. Hot baths and strenuous workouts should be avoided for two weeks. Patients will receive detailed post- procedure instructions. Follow-up visits are scheduled for one week, and four weeks later.
Sclerotherapy is a simple minimally invasive treatment that is most commonly used to treat spider veins, but can be used to eliminate smaller varicose veins as well. During the sclerotherapy procedure, the physician uses a small needle to inject a medication into the lining of a vein. The vein then closes and is reabsorbed over a short period of time. The blood from the closed vein reroutes to normal working veins.
Sclerotherapy is helpful for treating spider veins and smaller varicose veins when they first appear, before they become further complicated and unsightly. Some patients may require several treatment sessions, depending upon the complexity of the vein protrusion, and the number of vein regions requiring treatment.
Advantages of Sclerotherapy
Patients may resume their normal activities after sclerotherapy treatment. However, flying should be avoided for three weeks, and hot tubs, long hot baths, and saunas should be avoided for one week after sclerotherapy. Light exercise, such as walking, will help speed the healing process. Some mild bruising may occur, but should disappear within two weeks. Patients will receive detailed post- procedure instructions. A follow-up visit is scheduled for two weeks after sclerotherapy treatment.
Our physicians may use ultrasound as a guide when treating an abnormal vein below the skin. This treatment is useful for problematic veins that can’t be treated with laser ablation. Sclerotherapy is performed as described, but the veins are visualized on a screen using ultrasound technology.
Advantages of Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy Recovery and Aftercare
Patients may resume their normal activities after ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. However, flying should be avoided for two weeks, and hot tubs, long hot baths, and saunas should be avoided for one week after treatment. Light exercise, such as walking, will help speed the healing process. Some bruising may occur, but should disappear within two weeks. Patients will receive detailed post- procedure instructions. A follow-up visit is scheduled for two weeks after ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.
A number of treatment options are available that avoid procedural intervention and can be used to manage varicose vein cases that may benefit from simple lifestyle changes. Conservative treatment for varicose veins can offer some pain relief and make your legs feel better, but will not provide permanent relief.
Among the options:
Our team of vein and vascular specialists work in the area’s best hospitals. At the Center, you will have the opportunity to meet and consult with our providers.
Our board-certified physicians are Vascular and Interventional Specialists for fibroid, prostate, oncology, leg & knee, and spinal conditions. Our physicians are among the most experienced in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and are affiliated with the region’s top-ranked hospitals, including Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. Team members are consistently selected as “Top Doctors”. We utilize Interventional Radiology for the treatment of vein and vascular conditions in the comfort of an outpatient setting. Feel great knowing you are receiving the best outpatient vascular care in the D.C. area.
