We’re human, and that means sometimes we can get injured. Be it a sports-related injury, a work accident, or a less than elegant slip, now and then we can injure ourselves. In most cases, a bandage or trip to the doctor is enough to take care of whatever injury you sustain, but injuries can also leave behind lasting consequences for your vein health that are sometimes overlooked.
When we scrape, bump, or bruise our legs, it isn’t just the skin or muscles that are impacted, but the surface-level veins and the veins deep within the legs. When these veins are damaged or broken, they can cause several health issues, some of which should be evaluated and treated by a vein care specialist. When injured, blood will clot in the vein around the injury. These clots can transform into superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), blood clots that appear on the surface of the skin and are painful, or they can become deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a more life-threatening condition where the clots in your deep leg veins travel to your lungs as a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Broken or damaged veins can also appear as varicose veins, which are thick and ropey in appearance, and are often purple, red, or blue. Varicose veins are a sign of veins that have stopped functioning, and without healthy circulation, blood has pooled in the leg. However, many people who have varicose veins see them as a cosmetic issue when in fact they are a part of vein disease. Without treatment, varicose veins can lead to the formation of venous ulcers and edema, as well as deep vein thrombosis. These conditions can be painful and deadly, so it’s important to seek care.
Vein Disease is a Real Disease!
How to Care for Your Veins
Illinois Vein Specialists often received referrals from hospitals and doctors around Illinois and Southern Wisconsin to treat vein disease in patients caused by accidents or injuries they have suffered. Your initial consultation will begin with an ultrasound scan performed by our highly-trained ultrasound technician or nurse practitioner, and this allows your vein care specialist to see deep within your legs to assess and diagnose your condition. We will continue to use ultrasound technology during your treatment to pinpoint damaged veins for treatment while leaving healthy veins alone.
The treatments we offer our patients include:
Endovenous Laser Therapy
The Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) treatment is a minimally invasive treatment that helps reduce Chronic Venous Hypertension and varicose veins. This treatment only takes about half an hour to complete and patients can return to regular activity immediately.
Venaseal™ Closure System
The Venaseal™ treatment targets damaged veins, and a sealant is administered to close off the broken vein and redirect blood flow to healthier veins, reducing the appearance of veins on the skin. This procedure only takes about 30 to 40 minutes and patients can return to their regular activities directly after the treatment without the need to even wear compression socks.
Sclerotherapy
The sclerotherapy treatment closes off damaged veins with the sclerosant agent Sodium Tetradecol to redirect blood flow to healthier veins. This treatment is ideal for removing spider veins without any pain, and can also be used for varicose veins.
Each of these treatments is performed with the use of ultrasound technology to ensure that only damaged veins are treated for painless, beautiful results that require no downtime to heal from. At Illinois Vein Specialists, Dr. Perlmutter will assess your specific vein condition and recommend a treatment plan that is perfect for you.
For more information on vein health or to schedule a consultation, call (847) 277-9100 or visit our appointment page today!
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