You know you have varicose veins, those ropy bulges in your legs that may be blue or purple and may at times be swollen or painful. Because genetics play a large role in who develops varicose veins — which is nearly half the population — you may also have learned to recognize the condition based on a how your parents or grandparents legs looked.
What you’re less sure of is what to do about them. Many people suffer from varicose veins for too long because they fear that seeking treatment will be a sure path to surgery. But this isn’t always the case. At Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville we see patients with all stages of varicose veins disease, and with a wide variety of symptoms.
For those whose symptoms are unpleasant but tolerable, such as minor pain and swelling, our vein specialists help them devise a plan to both manage and monitor their varicose veins. They may be instructed to wear compression stockings, elevate their legs above heart level for a period of time daily, exercise to improve circulation, or lose weight if needed. Because varicose veins do not heal on their own and usually get worse with age, these patients find comfort in knowing that a vein specialist is on their side.
We also often see patients who have delayed seeking treatment — even though their symptoms have become unbearable — because they fear surgery will be the only remedy. They may have heard older relatives or friends tell of painful vein stripping procedures, but this surgical practice is rarely used now, replaced with the new non-surgical laser treatments performed at Premier Vein Clinics. Treatment of varicose veins today no longer means a painful procedure requiring a hospital stay and a long, uncomfortable recovery. Today’s in-office, minimally invasive laser procedures are performed usually in under an hour, and require very little to no down time. It’s no wonder we often hear patients say, “If only I’d have known, I would have done this much earlier!”
If you are experiencing symptom of varicose veins request a consult with one of Premier Vein Clinic of Knoxville’s experienced vascular surgeons. We can help you determine the best course of action to manage your symptoms and maintain beautiful, healthy legs. Call (865) 588-8229 or schedule your initial consultation online today.