Services | Orthopedics and Pain Medicine Physician located in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, Jersey City and West Orange, NJ | Garden State Pain & Orthopedics

What Are Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins that often appear blue or dark purple. They typically occur in the legs and are caused by faulty valves within the veins. When these valves do not function properly, blood can flow backward and pool in the veins, causing them to enlarge.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are smaller, red, purple, or blue vessels that also twist and turn. They are more superficial than varicose veins and can appear on the legs and face. Spider veins are usually less than 1 mm in diameter and often resemble a spider web, hence their name.

Causes

Common Causes

1. Genetics: Family history plays a significant role in the likelihood of developing varicose or spider veins.
2. Age: As we age, veins can lose elasticity, and valves may weaken.
3. Gender: Women are more likely to develop these conditions, partly due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and the use of birth control pills.
4. Pregnancy: Increased blood volume during pregnancy can enlarge veins, and hormonal changes can also relax vein walls.
5. Obesity: Excess weight puts additional pressure on veins.
6. Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Occupations that require long periods of standing or sitting can impede blood flow.

Symptoms

While varicose veins and spider veins are often visible and easily recognizable, they can also cause various symptoms:

• Aching, heavy, or throbbing legs
• Swelling in the lower legs
• Itching around the veins
• Muscle cramping and restless legs
• Skin discoloration around the affected area

Prevention

While some risk factors like genetics and age are unavoidable, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing varicose and spider veins:

• Exercise Regularly: Engage in activities that promote good circulation, such as walking or swimming.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Reducing unnecessary pressure on your veins can prevent vein problems.
• Avoid High Heels and Tight Clothing: These can restrict blood flow and increase vein pressure.
• Elevate Your Legs: Especially after long periods of standing or sitting.
• Stay Hydrated and Eat a Healthy Diet: Proper hydration and nutrition support overall vascular health.

When should I get my veins treated?

Deciding when to get your veins treated depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, the impact on your quality of life, and the advice of one of our healthcare providers at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics. If you experience any of these conditions, it may be time to seek treatment.

• Persistent pain or discomfort
• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Skin changes
• Bleeding
• Development of complications (inflammation, blood clots, ulcers)
• Cosmetic concern

Varicose veins and spider veins are common conditions that, while often harmless, can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Understanding the causes and symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment. If you are looking to treat your veins, you can schedule an appointment with one of our specialists by selecting the “Book Now” button above. You can also read more about our treatments on our services page. 

What is the treatment for varicose veins?

In the past, varicose vein treatment involved surgery under general anesthesia that required sutures, and a lengthy recovery. At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, the team relies on the most advanced varicose vein treatments available, including sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation therapy (ELAT), and radiofrequency ablation. Treatments for varicose veins include:

Lifestyle Changes

1. Exercise: Regular physical activity helps improve blood circulation and vein strength.
2. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on the veins.
3. Elevation: Elevating your legs can help blood flow back to the heart more efficiently.
4. Avoiding Long Periods of Standing or Sitting: Taking breaks to move around can prevent blood from pooling in the veins.

Medical Treatments

1. Compression Stockings: These help by squeezing the legs, promoting blood flow toward the heart.
2. Sclerotherapy: A procedure where a solution is injected into the vein, causing it to scar and close.
3. Laser Treatments: Uses light energy to fade spider veins and small varicose veins.
4. Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): A minimally invasive procedure using laser fibers to close off varicose veins.

More About Garden State Pain and Orthopedics Innovative Treatments

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy treats varicose veins by injecting a concentrated saline solution directly into the problem vein, which causes it to disappear over three to six weeks. 

ELAT

During this procedure, your provider inserts a small laser fiber into your varicose vein and uses pulses of laser light to collapse the vein. 

Radiofrequency ablation

This treatment involves ultrasound imaging that guides a thin catheter into your varicose vein. Once in place, your provider delivers electricity to heat the wall of your vein, causing it to shrink and collapse.

Garden State Pain & Orthopedics also offers radiofrequency ablation with Venefit™.

What is Venefit?

Venefit is an effective and safe technology that provides one of the most powerful options available for treating varicose veins without general anesthetic. This approach harnesses the power and flexibility of radio waves, instead of electricity like traditional RFA. 

The process for treating varicose veins with Venefit is similar to traditional RFA and usually takes between 45-60 minutes. After having radiofrequency ablation with Venefit, you can return to normal activities immediately but wear compression stockings for two weeks to prevent the formation of small clots and guarantee the best cosmetic outcome possible.

Treating veins with radiofrequency ablation provides dramatic improvements within a few days, though, it can take some time for the vein itself to fully disappear depending on its severity. In most cases, you have one to four veins needing treatment at one time.

Varicose veins and spider veins are common conditions that, while often harmless, can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Understanding the causes and symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment. If you are looking to treat your veins, you can schedule an appointment with one of our specialists by selecting the “Book Now” button above. You can also read more about our treatments on our services page. 

More about Garden State Pain and Orthopedics

Garden State Pain and Orthopedics is a group of Orthopedic and Pain Management Physicians located in Clifton, Edison, Hazlet, West Orange, and Jersey City who have provided the highest quality healthcare since 1994. Garden State Pain & Orthopedics is on the cutting edge of technology in pain medicine with expertise across diverse pain conditions and treatment modalities, including interventional pain techniques, minimally-invasive surgeries, medical management, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and behavioral therapy. You can schedule an appointment with their pain doctors by selecting the “Book Now” button. 

Locations:

Clifton

Address: 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301, Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: 973-777-5444

Edison

Address: 25 South Main Street, Suite 12, Edison, NJ 08837

Phone: 732-376-0330

Jersey City

Address: 631 Grand Street, Suite 2-100, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Phone: 973-777-5444

West Orange

Address: 443 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone: 732-376-0330

Hazlet

Address: 226 Middle Road, Suite 4, Hazlet, NJ 07730 

Phone: 732-376-0330