Varicose Veins & Chronic Venus Insufficiency

Varicose Veins & Venous Insufficiency Care at UVM Health

As blood flows through your body, it carries oxygen to your tissues. Typically, your veins send blood back to your heart to collect more oxygen. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the leg veins don’t pump blood back to the heart as efficiently as they should. Over time, this can cause enlarged bluish or purplish veins called varicose veins.

At University of Vermont Health, we offer coordinated, comprehensive treatment for venous insufficiency and varicose veins. We offer a wide range of treatments, including minimally invasive options. Thanks to our network of heart and vascular locations across northern New York and Vermont, you’re never far from the expert care you need.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As one of the leading vascular programs in the region, we offer:

Advanced treatments: We provide a full spectrum of therapies for chronic venous insufficiency. Our vascular surgeons are experts in specialized, minimally invasive treatments to improve blood flow with quicker recovery and less blood loss.
Excellent outcomes: UVM Health physicians track all their results with national databases, and we meet or exceed many of these benchmarks.
Coordinated care: Our specialized vascular surgeons work closely with specialists throughout the network to coordinate referrals so you get the care you need, when and where you need it.

Risk Factors for Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Some people are more likely to get chronic venous insufficiency than others. Venous insufficiency is more common in adults over 50. Other risk factors include:

Family history of venous insufficiency or varicose veins
Obesity
Pregnancy
Sedentary lifestyle
Smoking

Wellness & Prevention

Evidence shows that proactive health care focused on preventing illness leads to better outcomes. We're here to help you live a healthier, happier life. We offer wellness and prevention services to empower you to take control of your health.

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Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Varicose veins are the main sign of chronic venous insufficiency. You may also experience:

Heaviness or aching in your legs
Open sores (ulcers) on your legs or feet
Pain while walking or after standing for long periods
Swelling in your legs or ankles

Diagnosing Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Your provider may initially diagnose chronic venous insufficiency based on your symptoms. They confirm the diagnosis and find out more using tests such as:

Physiological studies: Your provider measures the blood flowing through your veins while you exercise and then rest. This helps determine if you have any blockages in your blood vessels.
Duplex ultrasound: Your provider uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your blood vessels, along with a video image of how blood flows through your vessels.

Treatment for Varicose Vein & Venous Insufficiency

At UVM Health, our vascular team offers an array of treatments for venous insufficiency and varicose veins. We approach your treatment plan holistically, offering recommendations for lifestyle changes as well as minimally invasive procedures. Our goal is that you achieve your best health.

Treatment for venous insufficiency and varicose veins may include:

Lifestyle Changes for Venous Insufficiency

In mild to moderate cases of chronic venous insufficiency, lifestyle changes may help manage your symptoms and avoid the need for further treatment. In more severe cases, these changes can prevent the condition from worsening. You may be advised to:

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Avoid long periods of standing or sitting
Elevate your legs when they become painful
Exercise regularly

Compression Stockings for Venous Insufficiency

These elastic garments squeeze your veins and improve blood flow. Most people who use compression stockings wear them daily.

Sclerotherapy for Venous Insufficiency

This procedure is one of the most common treatments for varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Your vascular surgeon injects a chemical into the affected veins. The chemical closes the veins, which are eventually reabsorbed into the body. Blood naturally redirects through other veins.

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Venous Insufficiency

During this outpatient procedure, your surgeon inserts a small, hollow tube (catheter) into your damaged vein. They deliver radiofrequency heat through the catheter. This heat shrinks and seals the vein. Blood no longer flows through the affected vein and instead redirects through other nearby veins.

VenaSeal for Venous Insufficiency

Your surgeon uses a medical glue to close the affected veins. This special glue holds the walls of the vein together, stopping and then redirecting the blood flow to healthy veins. Over time, your body reabsorbs the inactive veins.

Vein Ligation for Venous Insufficiency

Surgeons often use vein ligation along with radiofrequency ablation. During the procedure, they make small incisions directly over varicose veins. They tie off the vein to interrupt blood flow. Eventually, the vein shrinks and gets reabsorbed by the body.

Phlebectomy for Venous Insufficiency

This procedure targets varicose veins that are close to the surface of your skin. Your surgeon makes small incisions directly over the damaged veins, then uses a hook-shaped device to remove them.

Vein Stripping for Venous Insufficiency

During this procedure, your surgeon makes a few small incisions at the top, middle and bottom of the affected vein. They insert a special catheter through the top incision and tie a wire around the vein. Then they remove the wire and vein through the bottom incision.