As a lifelong athlete and Olympic swimmer, Summer Sanders never thought she'd be affected with varicose veins or CVI.

The important thing is to take action before they become more than a cosmetic nuisance. “Regardless of the person’s age, all untreated varicose veins can potentially progress to chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, a more serious disease that can lead to hard-to-treat skin damage and ulcers,” cautions Julianne Stoughton, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital.

Signs and symptoms of CVI can worsen over time and also include ankle swelling, fatigue, restlessness, and pain of the legs.

The good news is that office-based procedures to treat problem veins can take less than an hour, require little down time, and are generally covered by insurance.

Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer, 2012 Olympic commentator, and busy mom Summer Sanders noticed her legs were heavy and achy after a long day and assumed it was something she just had to deal with. Later, doctors diagnosed her with venous insufficiency using a simple ultrasound test.

“I suffered for too long. Take control of your health and speak to a vein specialist,” urges Summer.

For more about Summer’s story, treatment details, and a physician locator, go to rethinkvaricoseveins.com.

Give Your Legs a Lift The Saturday Evening Post

#1: Varicose veins are NOT a cosmetic issue. It’s a progressive medical condition that can lead to sores and circulation problems.

#2: Men DO develop varicose veins. Forty percent of women experience varicose veins, but about 25 percent of men do, too.

#3: Treatment does NOT require a hospital stay. Surgical vein stripping has been replaced by laser therapy that seals veins from the inside, can be done in a doctor’s office, and is almost always covered by insurance.

“Until a few years ago, vein stripping was considered standard treatment for varicose veins,” says Dr. Jeffery Schoonover of Vein Clinics of America in Indianapolis. “But now the transition has been made to utilizing thermal ablation—minimally invasive procedures that don’t require hospital stay.”

During the new treatment, called endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), doctors utilize ultrasound technology to guide an optic fiber into the problem vein, and then activate the laser to heat and seal it. After the vessel closes, blood reroutes to healthy veins.

Medical Update (MU) talked to Dr. Schoonover about varicose veins, and an advanced laser fiber featuring a protective gold tip to reduce bruising and promote healing.

MU: When should people with varicose veins seek medical advice and care?

Dr. Schoonover: People with medically significant varicose veins suffer from leg aching, throbbing, and pain. Symptoms may improve with periods of leg elevation, pain medicines, and compression socks. But they typically recur and disrupt activity.

MU: What’s special about VenaCure EVLT?

Dr. Schoonover: The VenaCure fiber has a durable gold tip that is highly visible with ultrasound guidance technology.  Other fibers can be difficult to see, increasing the risk of vein perforation and excessive bruising.

In addition, the gold tip reduces the amount of carbon that can accumulate on the laser fiber. This helps ensure uniform energy distribution throughout the firing of the laser and speed healing.

MU: How long is the typical recovery period?

Dr. Schoonover, VenaCure EVLT takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and patients can return to the work the next day.

MU: Has the new fiber gone through clinical trials?

Dr. Schoonover: Yes, it is FDA approved and in use across the country.

MU: Who are the best candidates for VenaCure EVLT?

Dr. Schoonover: A wide range of patients will tolerate this procedure. Those with a history of venous surgery or problems would require additional workup. As always, ask a doctor about the best treatment options for you.

Below is an animation of the new laser therapy for varicose veins.

Varicose Veins The Saturday Evening Post