Varicose Veins

We understand that spider veins and varicose veins on the legs can be uncomfortable for you. Whether your veins are linked to other health conditions or cause embarrassment that makes it difficult for you to fully enjoy life, we can help.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, bulging veins. Typically, they appear on your legs because standing and walking increases the pressure in these veins. Spider veins are a common, mild form of varicose veins and look like thin, red or blue lines in a spiderweb pattern.

Fortunately, spider veins and varicose veins usually are more of a cosmetic concern than a health issue. But sometimes varicose veins can be painful and lead to more serious health conditions, so it’s wise to seek treatment.

It’s also a good idea to talk with your doctor even if you don’t have discomfort but are avoiding activities that show your legs. We have many simple procedures for removing varicose veins or making them less visible so you can get back to doing the things you love.

Varicose veins symptoms

If you have varicose veins, you’re not alone. Millions of people in the United States have varicose veins.

In general, varicose veins are clearly visible. They appear dark blue or purple, twisted and bulging just beneath the surface of your skin, usually on your legs. You also may have more serious symptoms, including:

• Itchiness
• Leg pain, aching and cramping
• Leg swelling
• Leg wounds that won’t heal
• Discolored skin
• Blood clots in the swollen veins

Varicose veins causes & risk factors

Varicose veins and spider veins form when gravity causes blood to pool in the lower part of your body. Your vein walls weaken and stretch, allowing blood to back up in your veins, causing them to bulge, twist, and look like swollen, blue or purple ropes.

You’re more likely to get varicose veins if you’re a woman, particularly as you get older. However, men get varicose veins, too.

Other factors that can weaken your vein walls and lead to varicose veins include:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Birth control pills or hormone replacements
• Long periods of standing or sitting
• Family history of varicose veins

Varicose veins diagnosis

With some of the most experienced vascular treatment experts in Wisconsin, vein-related problems are one of our specialties.

To diagnose your varicose veins and their severity, we’ll ask about any symptoms you may be having. We’ll carefully examine your legs while you’re standing to check for swelling.

We may also recommend an ultrasound. This diagnostic test creates images of your veins to help us detect blockages or narrowing that may affect blood flow.

Find out more about our heart and vascular testing and diagnosis.

Varicose veins treatment

Your comfort and health are important to us. We’ll suggest the varicose vein treatment options that best fit you and your life. Your treatment plan may include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as:
  • Avoiding standing or sitting for long periods of time or taking frequent breaks
  • Elevating your legs
  • Wearing compression stockings, which are socks that put pressure on your lower legs to move blood and reduce swelling
• Medical treatments, such as:
  • Sclerotherapy, where we insert a solution into varicose or spider veins so they collapse and eventually disappear
  • Vein ligation and stripping, a minimally invasive procedure where we tie off and remove the veins
  • Other minimally invasive varicose and spider vein treatments, using lasers and other advanced techniques

Find out more about our venous disease treatments.