Varicose & Spider Veins
Expert medical treatment for varicose veins
Varicose and Spider Vein Management
The Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers the latest treatments and therapies to manage your varicose veins and spider veins.
Understanding Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins that may be blue, red or the color of flesh. Any vein may become varicose, but those most often affected are veins in the legs and feet. That’s because standing and walking increase pressure in the veins in those areas.
Varicose veins often are raised above the skin and appear as twisted, bulging ropes. They occur when valves in the veins carrying blood from the legs to the heart no longer work properly. This forces blood to collect in the legs.
For some people, varicose veins are merely a cosmetic issue. They can be unsightly and even embarrassing. For others, the condition can be quite painful. In some cases, varicose veins may progress into what is known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a more serious condition.
Specialized Diagnostic Services
BIDMC vascular specialists offer the latest in effective tests to diagnose varicose and spider veins. You may have a vascular ultrasound to help your doctor diagnose your spider veins and plan your personalized treatment.
Our facility has earned accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for vascular testing. This IAC accreditation shows our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality outcomes for you and other patients.
Varicose and Spider Vein Treatments
Our vascular surgeons offer both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for varicose veins and spider veins. Many of these procedures result in less pain and shorter recovery times.
In many cases, the first treatment will be to wear compression stockings to help you manage symptoms. Depending on your needs and situation, your vascular care team can use a variety of treatments that can actually eliminate the damaged varicose veins and halt the potential progression to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical, painless treatment. During sclerotherapy, your doctor injects a chemical solution into your spider veins, which causes them to collapse.
The chemical irritates and scars your veins from the inside out, so abnormal spider veins can no longer fill with blood. Over a period of a few months, the veins disappear.
Sclerotherapy may require several sessions to treat each vein. Your doctor can treat multiple veins at each session. You will need to wear support stockings for two to four weeks after treatment.
We offer varicose vein ablation. During this treatment, your doctor closes the problem vein and reroutes blood to other veins. This treatment can alleviate pain and other symptoms.
Our surgeons are experts at performing these minimally invasive vascular surgeries to treat varicose and spider veins:
- Micro-incision removal
- Percutaneous thrombolysis for extensive acute deep vein thrombosis
Advancing Care, Research & Education
CardioVascular Institute
The CardioVascular Institute offers heart and vascular patient care, education opportunities for students, and a range of research programs.
Vascular Surgery Research
Our Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Research programs advance vascular care through scientific research, clinical trials and data analysis.
Cardiovascular Education
The CardioVascular Institute offers comprehensive education and training programs for healthcare professionals, including fellowships and residencies.
