Treating Varicose Veins - Nestor Cruz, MD

While most patients suffering from varicose veins seek treatment because they find the spidery or bulging veins to be unsightly, the most compelling reason to consult a physician for this condition is the pain, aching and/or ulcerations that can be caused by varicose veins. In some cases, the pain associated with varicose veins is long-term, and intense enough to limit a person’s activity. At this point, varicose veins are truly a medical condition and should be treated as such.

Most primary care physicians can diagnose the level of severity of a patient’s varicose veins. Generally they will start treatment by prescribing compression therapy, wherein the patient is directed to wear special support hose for a few weeks. A waiting period follows during which the physician monitors the effectiveness of the treatment. If symptoms continue, surgery may be prescribed.

When a patient with varicose veins is referred by his or her primary care physician to a surgeon specializing in vascular care, the surgeon will perform a series of tests to determine the scope of the operation to follow. This examination, referred to as “duplex” testing. From this test, the surgeon can determine whether the patient’s superficial venous system is incompetent, or if the damage results in incompentency in the deep venous system. This distinction will indicate what type of surgery is appropriate, vein stripping, or the more complicated, perforator vein ligation.

Both operations require that the patient receive spinal or general anesthesia during the procedure. The patient is able to walk home, and may go to work the next day. They are expected to take it easy for a few days, but generally, the pain and ulcerations improve. After surgery, many patients comment that they wish that they had sought relief much earlier.

Dr. Cruz specializes in Vascular Surgery at Cornerstone Surgery. He treats patients at Cornerstone Surgery’s High Point and Lexington offices.