Legs you are comfortable in again.
If you have varicose veins or spider veins, you have come to the right place. We can relieve your symptoms and improve the appearance of your legs — and treating them early may help prevent complications later. The Summit Vein Institute is located at our Hackensack, New Jersey office.
Varicose veins
Swollen, twisted, bulging veins — what causes them, the symptoms, and the four ways we treat them.
Read moreSpider veins
Fine red, blue or purple lines near the surface of the skin, treated without incisions.
Read moreDiagnostic studies
Painless ultrasound testing in our own vascular lab — no needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia.
Read moreWhat varicose veins are, and why they happen
Varicose veins are swollen, often twisted, bulging veins that can appear purplish in colour. They commonly occur in the legs but can develop elsewhere — hemorrhoids are also a type of varicose vein. You may have symptoms before any visible signs appear.
Veins carry blood from your organs and tissues back to the heart. Blood flows in one direction, helped along by one-way valves. Your blood flow pushes those valves open, and if gravity or muscle contractions try to reverse the flow, the valves close. When the valves do not work properly, blood flows backwards, and the veins fill and enlarge. That is how varicose veins develop.
The underlying cause has multiple origins. Hereditary factors are thought to weaken vein walls and cost them their elasticity; as the veins deteriorate, the valves separate. Other factors that increase risk include occupations that require standing for long periods, obesity, hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause, trauma including post-surgical trauma, and normal aging.
Very common
Varicose veins affect about 50% of individuals over age 50, and are more common in women than in men. An estimated 80 million people have varicose veins, and by age 70 approximately 70% of women are affected. Your chances increase as you age.
Signs & symptoms
- Swollen and enlarged veins
- Blue or purplish veins near the skin surface
- Leg heaviness; legs tire easily
- Swelling in legs, ankles or feet
- Numbness
- Painful or achy legs
- Leg cramps at night
- Skin darkening or discolouration
- Itching or rash
- Skin ulcers
- Blood clots
- No pain at all — not everyone has pain
Four ways we treat varicose veins
Which one is right depends on the severity of your situation. Our medical and surgical procedures involve removing or closing the affected veins. During your appointment we will discuss the options, recovery periods and possible side effects — and even if you have no symptoms, you may still want to improve the appearance of your legs.
Sclerotherapy
The most common treatment, used mainly for smaller varicose veins and spider veins. A solution is injected into the vein, causing its walls to stick together and seal shut. With blood flow stopped, the vein tissue scars and, over a few weeks, naturally fades away.
- No anesthesia required
- Several treatments may be needed, every 4 to 6 weeks
- Improvement success rates run from 50% to 90%
- Most people return to normal activity immediately
Laser surgery
Newer technology for smaller varicose veins. Strong bursts of light energy cause the vein to fade away. The advantage is that there are no incisions and no injections, and the treatment is very direct and accurate.
- Treatments take about 15 to 20 minutes
- Additional treatments may be needed depending on severity
- Most people return to normal activity immediately
Radiofrequency ablation
For deeper or larger varicose veins, and still a minimally invasive technique. Laser or radiowave energy heats and closes the vein. A small incision allows a thin tube to be inserted; a device at its tip heats up and causes the vein to shrink and close.
- Local anesthesia numbs the insertion area
- You are awake during the procedure
- You can usually go home the same day
Ambulatory phlebectomy
Typically used for varicose veins close to the surface of the skin. Small incisions allow the vein to be removed from the leg — usually in a single visit. This procedure can be used for very large varicose veins and leaves only tiny scars.
- Usually completed in one visit
- Suitable for very large varicose veins
- Most people return to normal activity the following day
Our treatment plans help reduce or eliminate current varicose veins, but no procedure prevents new varicose veins from developing. During your physical exam we will cover every option available for your condition, including the positives and negatives of each, so you can make an informed decision.
Simple, non-invasive treatment for spider veins
If you want to eliminate unattractive spider veins, we can help. Medical techniques have advanced in recent years, and we can offer you simple non-invasive procedures. So why hide your legs or feel self-conscious any longer?
Spider veins are slightly inflated veins, red, blue or purplish in colour. They are very common and usually appear on the surface of the legs — thighs, calves and ankles — though they can also appear on the face and other skin surfaces. They are similar to varicose veins, but much smaller, thinner and closer to the surface, and they get their name from the spider-web-like patterns they form.
The cause is the same as for varicose veins: one-way valves that weaken, get damaged, or simply stop working properly, allowing blood to flow backwards and the veins to fill and enlarge.
Symptoms
Spider veins are harmless and cause very little, if any, discomfort. The most commonly reported symptoms are aching, burning, swelling and cramps. Most patients come to us simply because they want to improve the appearance of their legs — which is a perfectly good reason.
How we treat them
- Sclerotherapy — the most common and traditional treatment. Simple, no anesthesia, immediate return to normal activity.
- Laser surgery — concentrated beams of light energy fade the vein. No incisions, no injections. About 15 to 20 minutes per treatment.
Preparing for a laser treatment
Avoid sunlight for at least four weeks before your treatment, and during and after it — we cannot treat skin that has recently had a lot of sun exposure. Do not use tanning or skin-darkening lotions for at least six weeks before the procedure or for several weeks afterward. After treatment we recommend at least SPF 30 on the treated areas.
Easing symptoms before your visit
- Wear loose clothing — nothing that constricts the waist, groin, upper thighs or legs
- Wear support stockings
- Avoid standing or sitting for long periods
- Elevate your legs when at rest
- Do not cross your legs when sitting
- Exercise to work the legs, such as walking
Diagnostic studies — the exam
Our vascular lab is designed to give you a safe and pleasant exam. We use non-invasive ultrasound equipment to detect and diagnose problems with blood vessels — arteries, veins and capillaries. There are no needles, no dyes, no radiation and no anesthesia involved.
Ultrasound has been used for many years and can accurately diagnose a wide array of vascular diseases, including perfusion and pressures within your blood vessels at rest and with exercise. A highly qualified and experienced technologist performs your exam, and the results are studied and interpreted by our physician, Dr. Roxana Kline. At your next appointment, Dr. Kline will discuss the results with you and go over your treatment options.
Preparing for your exam
There is very little preparation required. Simply wear comfortable clothing — we may ask you to change into a hospital gown depending on your symptoms and the area being examined. Please arrive early to complete the required paperwork. Most exams take less than an hour, and afterwards there are no special requirements or restrictions. You will be asked to make a follow-up appointment with Dr. Kline to discuss your results.
Vascular lab hours
Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Exams are available at our Hackensack, New Jersey office. Call (201) 488-6445 to schedule.
Non-invasive tests available
Venous duplex
Evaluates blood flow from the legs or arms back to the heart. Used to assess pain or swelling in the limbs, and to detect blood clots that could migrate to the lungs.
Arterial duplex
Evaluates blood flow from the main arteries to the legs and arms. Often used to assess the cause of pain in the leg muscles while walking.
Carotid duplex
Evaluates blood flow from the main arteries in the neck to the brain. Used to determine whether you have a blockage in the carotid artery.
Arterial pressures and waveforms
Blood pressure cuffs and ultrasound evaluate the main arteries supplying the legs and arms, identifying areas of blockage and explaining pain while walking.
Abdominal vascular duplex
Evaluates blood flow to and from the abdominal organs.
Make an appointment today
We are dedicated to identifying the cause of your symptoms. We will help you understand your condition and make an appropriate choice among the treatment options — and after your procedure, we continue to provide comprehensive follow-up care.