Varicose veins are a cosmetic issue and other misconceptions.

Painful varicose and spider veins can develop over time on a wide variety of people. Some of the healthiest lifestyles will not prevent venous disease from presenting itself.

Varicose veins are the most visible sign of venous disease. Approximately 72% of women and 42% of the men will experience venous disease by age 60. Dr. Jon Roberts at Memphis Vascular Center has seen it all in his 20 plus years of treating patients with venous disease.

Here are some of the misconceptions when dealing with venous disease.

1. Having large varicose veins crop up or big patches of spider veins are just a part of getting older.

Dr. Roberts said, “Typically, the older you get, the more prone you are to having visible signs of venous disease.  However, you can develop signs and symptoms other than visual ones at any age.  Symptoms of swelling and pain in your legs after you have been active all day are signs of possible venous disease.”

At Memphis Vascular Center, we offer the “gold standard” of diagnosing venous disease by performing duplex ultrasounds with our nationally registered technologists and MVC is a nationally registered venous testing center and vein center.  Memphis Vascular Center was the first treatment center in the Mid-south to attain national accreditation.

2. Treating varicose veins is painful

Dr. Roberts has a direct message for some who have heard these rumors, “the new technology that is available, along with a skill physician can make the process almost completely painless.” No longer is general anesthesia needed, or long recovery times, or having scars after a procedure.  “Most of our patients go about doing their plans for that day after having the procedure. We even had a patient have a procedure on Wednesday and run a 5k that Saturday,” said Dr. Roberts.

Many of today’s treatments only require local anesthesia and can be performed in the office in less than an hour. Discomfort is minor and recovery times are quick.

3. It is a cosmetic issue.

Many patients do seek treatment just because they don’t like the way their legs look, however, “when symptoms such as: pain, heaviness, restless legs, cramps, swelling, or throbbing are present- it is considered a medical condition,” explained Dr. Roberts.

Dr. Roberts said, “Venous treatments are directed at resolving the underlying conditions that are causing the symptoms, which can get worse if left unchecked. Many people suffer from symptoms for many years or they can elect to have a procedure that takes less than an hour and be able to live day-to-day life without those symptoms anymore.”

4. Varicose vein treatments are very expensive.

Venous treatments are typically covered by most insurance plans if the patient is suffering from symptoms and the ultrasound shows documentation of venous disease. At Memphis Vascular Center, we will check with your insurance company’s coverage policy and get a pre approval from them before scheduling your procedure. Insurance does not cover treatments on patients without symptoms or if they do not like the way their legs look.

“Most insurance companies require you to wear compression hose for a given period of time before treatment. So, if you are developing symptoms, it is important to start wearing hose while you are moving around during the day.  The hose can help decrease your symptoms and cut down on your wait time to have a procedure done,” explained Dr. Roberts.

5. My parents had veins are their legs, I just have them too.

“Some of my patients have been dealing with venous related issues for decades, and just believed that is a part of getting older,” said Dr. Roberts.

“Patients just assume because their mother, father, or grandmother lived with them, they need to do the same.  We have such better technology now and tools available to us that we can solve a decade worth of symptoms with a procedure that lasts less than an hour,” Dr. Roberts stated.

If you are having symptoms such as: pain, heaviness, restless legs, cramps, swelling, or throbbing, please contact Memphis Vascular Center at 901-683-1890 or go to memphisvascular.com and request an appointment.

Or if you don’t like the way your legs look, we can help with that too!

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