Varicose veins can seem mysterious, appearing as protruding purple or blueish twisted knots under the skin of the legs and feet. It’s not uncommon for patients to ask, “What exactly is going on in under my skin, and how do I know if I have varicose veins?”
We understand the confusion. The vascular surgeons at Premier Vein Clinics in Knoxville have performed over 10,000 vein procedures since 2004, and many of the patients seeking treatment for varicose veins commonly use one or more of these three words to describe their legs:
- painful
- swollen
- ropy
According to the National Institute of Health, varicose veins are common—almost half of the American population has them. They’re caused when the one-way valves in your leg veins designed to keep blood moving upwards to the heart do not work properly. When the one-way valves become weak or damaged, blood is able to flow back into the vein and collects over time. Eventually, the pooled blood causes the vein to swell. The swelling causes the bulging rope-like appearance, and a painful pressure in the legs patients often describe as an aching heaviness.
The severity of varicose veins is affected by numerous factors, such as genetics, gender, obesity, and standing or sitting for long hours. Varicose veins cannot heal themselves, and tend to get worse with age. If left untreated, more serious problems and limitations in mobility may occur.
Premier vascular surgeon C. Scott Callicutt, MD, FACS puts it this way, “Varicose veins are a gravity-ridden phenomenon. Unless you can learn to walk on your hands, they won’t get better.”
The good news, however, is that treatment of varicose veins is easier than it’s ever been. The minimally invasive techniques used today result in little to no down time and drastic results. Most insurance companies will help cover the cost of vein treatments if it is deemed medically necessary. The staff at Premier Vein Clinics in Knoxville works closely with each patient to understand their insurance plan and obtain coverage for the best treatment approach that will relieve symptoms as quickly and efficiently as possible.
If you experience painful, swollen, or ropy legs you owe it to your overall health to get evaluated by a vascular specialist—start with our online self-assessment.
Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville is committed to making your treatment comfortable while achieving the best possible outcomes. We are conveniently located in our new facility at 6408 Papermill Drive, off exit 383. If your procedure is already scheduled we look forward to serving you and if not, schedule your initial consultation today.