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Providing Advanced Care for Varicose Veins

High Desert Vein Center includes a group of board-certified, Mayo-trained physicians who are skilled in medical science’s most advanced treatments for vein and circulation problems.

Varicose Veins Are a Treatable Medical Condition Covered by Insurance

woman reading outsideVaricose veins are swollen, twisted, bluish cords that you can see just under the skin. They usually occur on your legs or feet. Sometimes, they are surrounded by patches of flooded capillaries, called spider veins.

If you have varicose veins, it is important to seek medical care. They often indicate vein damage that could restrict blood flow from your legs to your heart (a condition called venous insufficiency). Over time, this condition can lead to serious complications in your legs and feet.

At High Desert Vein Center, we provide specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating diseased veins. Our services are covered by most health insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid (AHCCCS).

Testing

legs and feetAt High Desert Vein Center, our skilled healthcare staff will thoroughly evaluate your vein condition and identify any underlying circulation problems.

When you visit our center, we will do a physical exam and ask you about symptoms related to venous insufficiency, which can include pain, swelling, itching, and skin changes on your legs, ankles, or feet.

We may also perform additional testing using the following diagnostic equipment:

  • Venous duplex ultrasound. This painless exam uses high-frequency sound waves to show blood flow in your veins.
  • Venous pressure cuff. This painless exam measures blood pressure in your legs, which can indicate if there’s proper vein-valve function for sending blood from your legs to your heart.

Treatments

Depending on your condition, we provide treatments that can correct venous insufficiency and improve your circulation. Our treatments also improve the look of your legs by reducing or removing unsightly varicose veins and spider veins.

Using advanced medical procedures and newer state-of-the-art equipment, our capabilities include:

  • Venous ablation using radiofrequency catheters or laser fibers. We insert a thin tube (catheter) into a diseased vein and heat the tip of the catheter using either radiofrequency or laser energy. As the catheter is pulled out, the heat destroys the vein by causing it to collapse and seal shut. Blood will then flow through healthier veins.
  • Sclerotherapy. We often perform this procedure in addition to venous ablation (described above). It involves injecting diseased veins with a solution that scars and closes those veins. Sclerotherapy can also be used for the cosmetic treatment of spider veins.
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy (fluh-BEK-tuh-me). This procedure may also be used in addition to venous ablation. It involves the removal of smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. Only the parts of your leg that are being pricked are numbed. Scarring is generally minimal.