Hogue Vein Institute

Vein Care Services - Leg Veins

It is estimated that over 40 million Americans suffer from symptomatic varicose veins. At the Hogue Vein Institute, we offer the following comprehensive vein care services:

• Consultative diagnosis and treatment recommendations
• Conservative therapy
• Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)
• Endovenous chemical ablation (EVCA)
• Foam sclerotherapy
• Vein light sclerotherapy

Consultative diagnosis and treatment recommendations

If you are unsure if you have varicose veins, our Phlebologists will provide you with a FREE Screening Exam to see if you suffer from symptomatic varicose veins to determine if a Vein Consultation is needed. During your vein consultation at the Hogue Vein Institute, our Phlebologists perform a detailed physical examination of your lower extremities followed by a venous duplex ultrasound assessment and vein mapping to identify your veins and assess for backwards flow in your veins, known as reflux. Venous reflux beyond 0.5 seconds is nearly always abnormal. At the Hogue Vein Institute, we develop a customized treatment strategy for your vein condition in order to treat the cause and source of your underlying vein disorder. Once we have completed the vein consultation, we will discuss with you all the treatment options available to you. We will provide treatment recommendations based on your specific medical condition and vein care needs. During the vein consultation we will explain your vein disorder to you so that you will understand the rationale behind our customized treatment plan for you. Entrust your vein care to us. We are committed to improving the quality of your life through vein health. When choosing a physician to treat your veins, be sure to select a board certified Phlebologist.

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Conservative therapy

Many insurance companies require conservative therapy including a trial period of stocking use before approving definitive vein therapy. Other conservative therapies include exercise, avoidance of high heels, leg elevation, weight loss, and over-the-counter analgesics. Our goal at the Hogue Vein Institute is to relieve you of the need for consignment to chronic conservative therapy by correcting the underlying cause of your vein problem. When properly fitted, gradient compression stockings can lessen the symptoms and inflammation associated with venous disease. If gradient compression stockings are to be worn, then proper technique in putting them on and taking them off, along with proper care in cleaning them, should be observed. If a predetermined trial period of compression stockings and conservative therapies fail to improve the symptoms of your venous disease, then you will likely have met the medical necessity criteria of your insurance company for consideration of more definitive vein treatment measures.

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)

The endovenous laser ablation procedure (FDA approved in 2002) is performed at the Hogue Vein Institute by one of our board certified Phlebologists in our clinic procedure room. Using only local anesthesia, a tiny laser fiber is inserted into the targeted varicose vein through a tiny skin puncture. Numbing medication is injected into the tissues surrounding the targeted vein to provide complete anesthesia. When the laser is activated, laser energy heats up the the inside of the vein thereby causing it to shrink and collapse. The venous blood flow is then redirected to healthy veins within the leg muscles to improve the overall venous circulation of the symptomatic leg. Tributary varicosities remaining after the EVLA procedure, if present, are then effectively treated by endovenous chemical ablation (EVCA) using ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or vein light sclerotherapy to destroy these abnormal vein during follow up treatment sessions. Unlike surgical vein stripping where there is significant down time, patients treated with endovenous laser ablation have no down time and can resume normal activities immediately.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a vein treatment procedure that involves the injection of a sclerosing agent to achieve endovenous chemical ablation of the treated vein wherein the vein subsequently shrinks, collapses and essentially closes shut. Sclerotherapy can be ultrasound guided, often called echoschlerotherapy, or it can be performed using a transdermal illuminating light, called a vein light. Vein light sclerotherapy refers to injection of surface veins that are visible to the naked eye, with the assistance of a vein light. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy uses venous ultrasound to direct a needle for safe injection a sclerosing agent into a vein to achieve endovenous chemical ablation of that treated vein.

Varicose Veins FAQ