Leg heaviness, swelling, aching, skin discoloration, visible varicose veins, or non-healing ankle wounds may be signs of chronic venous disease. At Heart and Vascular Specialists, we evaluate vein problems with a careful clinical exam and vascular ultrasound, then create a practical treatment plan designed to improve symptoms, circulation, skin health, and quality of life.
Our vein care services are available for patients in Palos Heights, New Lenox, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Lemont, and the southwest Chicago metro area.
What Is Chronic Venous Disease?
Chronic venous disease occurs when leg veins have trouble moving blood back toward the heart. Healthy veins contain one-way valves that help blood flow upward. When these valves weaken or leak, blood can pool in the legs, causing venous reflux, varicose veins, swelling, pressure, and skin changes. Over time, untreated venous disease may progress from cosmetic veins to painful swelling, inflammation, or venous ulcers.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted surface veins that often appear blue, purple, or raised under the skin. They may be cosmetic, but they can also reflect underlying venous reflux that deserves medical evaluation.
Symptoms We Evaluate
- Bulging, rope-like varicose veins
- Spider veins or reticular veins
- Leg aching, heaviness, fatigue, or throbbing
- Ankle or lower-leg swelling, especially after standing or at the end of the day
- Burning, itching, tingling, cramping, or restless legs
- Skin discoloration, thickening, dryness, eczema-like changes, or inflammation near the ankle
- Recurrent superficial thrombophlebitis or tender inflamed veins
- Slow-healing wounds or venous ulcers near the ankle
- Symptoms after a prior deep vein thrombosis, also called post-thrombotic syndrome
Sudden one-sided leg swelling, severe calf pain, chest pain, coughing blood, fainting, or shortness of breath may be an emergency. Patients should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Conditions Treated
- Chronic venous insufficiency / venous reflux
- Symptomatic varicose veins
- Spider veins and reticular veins
- Leg swelling related to venous disease
- Venous stasis dermatitis and skin discoloration
- Venous leg ulcers and wound-risk evaluation
- Post-thrombotic syndrome after DVT
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
How We Diagnose Venous Disease
A successful vein treatment plan starts with finding the true source of the problem. During your visit, we review your symptoms, medical history, medications, prior blood clots, standing-related symptoms, skin changes, and treatment goals. We also examine the legs and pulses because arterial circulation matters before prescribing stronger compression therapy.
When indicated, we perform or order a venous duplex ultrasound. This painless test can evaluate blood flow, check for venous reflux, identify diseased superficial veins, and help rule out blood clots. Ultrasound findings allow us to decide whether conservative care, an office-based vein procedure, wound-care support, or referral for advanced venous evaluation is most appropriate.
Treatment Options
Treatment is personalized. Some patients improve with conservative therapy, while others benefit from minimally invasive vein procedures. Our goal is to treat the source of reflux when possible, reduce symptoms, improve skin health, and help patients return to normal activity with minimal downtime.
Compression Therapy and Lifestyle Measures
Graduated compression stockings, leg elevation, walking, calf-muscle exercise, weight management, and skin care can reduce swelling, heaviness, aching, and inflammation. Compression may also be required by insurance before certain vein procedures are approved.
Endovenous Ablation
For larger refluxing superficial veins, endovenous ablation uses ultrasound guidance to close the abnormal vein from inside. Radiofrequency or laser energy may be used depending on the system available. The body naturally redirects blood through healthier veins, and most patients walk the same day.
Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy
A medication foam can be injected into selected abnormal veins under ultrasound guidance. This may be used for residual varicose veins, branch veins, or veins that are not ideal for thermal ablation. Several sessions may be needed depending on vein size and distribution.
Visual Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
Smaller spider veins and reticular veins may be treated with tiny injections that irritate and close the vein. This is often considered cosmetic unless symptoms or bleeding are present, so insurance coverage varies.
Ambulatory Microphlebectomy
Prominent surface varicose veins can sometimes be removed through tiny skin punctures after local numbing medicine. This can improve bulging veins that remain after the underlying reflux source is treated.
Venous Wound and Skin-Care Support
Patients with venous ulcers or significant skin inflammation may need compression wraps, wound dressings, infection evaluation, and close follow-up. Treating the reflux source may help reduce recurrence risk when appropriate.
Advanced Venous Evaluation
Some patients have deep venous obstruction, prior DVT damage, or pelvic/iliac vein disease. When suspected, additional imaging or referral for advanced venous intervention may be recommended.
What to Expect at Your Vein Visit
- Consultation: We discuss your symptoms, goals, medical history, medications, prior procedures, and any history of DVT or wound problems.
- Vascular Examination: We examine your legs, veins, swelling pattern, skin changes, and pulses.
- Ultrasound-Based Diagnosis: A venous reflux ultrasound may be performed or scheduled to map abnormal veins and guide treatment planning.
- Personalized Plan: Your plan may include compression therapy, lifestyle measures, office-based vein treatment, wound-care support, or referral when deep venous disease is suspected.
- Follow-Up: After procedures, patients are usually encouraged to walk, use compression as instructed, and return for follow-up ultrasound or symptom reassessment when appropriate.
Why Choose Heart and Vascular Specialists?
- Physician-led cardiovascular and vascular evaluation
- Focus on both vein symptoms and overall circulation health
- Ultrasound-guided diagnosis and treatment planning
- Patient-friendly explanation of cosmetic vs medically necessary vein care
- Convenient access for Palos Heights, New Lenox, and southwest Chicago suburbs
- Coordination with wound care, primary care, and other specialists when needed
Insurance and Medical Necessity
Insurance coverage for vein treatment depends on the diagnosis, symptoms, ultrasound findings, treatment history, and the specific insurance plan. Symptomatic varicose veins with documented venous reflux may qualify for medical treatment, while spider vein treatment is often considered cosmetic. Our team can help review documentation requirements and guide patients through the authorization process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are varicose veins only cosmetic?
No. Some varicose veins are mainly cosmetic, but others cause aching, swelling, heaviness, inflammation, skin discoloration, bleeding, or ulcers. Symptoms and ultrasound findings help determine whether treatment is medically necessary.
What is venous reflux?
Venous reflux means blood is flowing backward in a leg vein because valves are not closing properly. This increases pressure in the vein and may lead to swelling, varicose veins, skin changes, or ulcers.
Do I need an ultrasound?
Many patients with symptomatic varicose veins or swelling need a venous duplex ultrasound to identify reflux, map the affected veins, and rule out blood clots when clinically appropriate.
Will closing a vein harm my circulation?
In most superficial vein procedures, the treated vein is already functioning poorly. Blood is redirected through healthier veins. Your physician will confirm that your vein anatomy is appropriate before recommending treatment.
How much downtime is expected?
Many modern vein procedures are office-based and allow walking the same day. Recovery instructions vary by procedure and by patient, including compression use and temporary limits on heavy exercise.
Will I need more than one treatment?
Possibly. Vein disease can involve multiple vein segments. Some patients need staged treatment, follow-up ultrasound, or separate treatment for spider veins after larger refluxing veins are addressed.
Can varicose veins come back?
Treatment can close or remove targeted abnormal veins, but new vein problems can develop over time. Follow-up and long-term circulation habits can help manage recurrence risk.
When should leg symptoms be urgent?
Sudden one-sided leg swelling, severe calf pain, redness with fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing blood, or fainting needs urgent medical evaluation. Call 911 for emergency symptoms.
Schedule a Vein Evaluation
Do not ignore painful or progressive leg vein symptoms. A vein evaluation can identify whether your symptoms are due to venous reflux, varicose veins, swelling, prior clot damage, or another circulation problem. Call Heart and Vascular Specialists at [Clinic Phone] or request an appointment online to schedule a vein evaluation in Palos Heights or New Lenox.