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Spider Veins Q & A

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are a common problem often confused with varicose veins. While both of these problematic veins appear on your legs, spider veins are small vessels that are typically red, blue, or purple and often appear squiggly or web-like. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are an enlarged twisted, or swollen vein that usually looks dark purple or blue.

Most of the time, spider veins often develop because of venous insufficiency. This issue occurs when you have weakened venous valves in your legs that allow your blood to flow in the opposite direction and pool, instead of towards your heart.

Spider veins may seem to be primarily a cosmetic issue, but, without treatment, they often worsen. Over time, your spider veins can turn into varicose veins and develop into chronic venous insufficiency. This condition can contribute to more dramatic skin changes and leg ulcers.  

What are the symptoms of spider veins?

Common symptoms associated with spider veins include:

  • Heaviness in the legs
  • Leg or ankle swelling
  • Restless legs while sitting or sleeping
  • Leg pain, especially at the end of the day or at night
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Unusual skin changes or rashes
  • Ulcers in the lower leg

You can develop spider veins for a wide range of reasons, including standing for long periods, being obese or pregnant, or having a family history of the condition or blood clots.

 

Lauren Gasparini

What is the treatment for spider veins?

The Garden State Pain & Orthopedics might recommend a variety of treatments to treat your condition, such as sclerotherapy, laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation, or VenaSeal™. 

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy reduces spider veins and small varicose veins by injecting a particular solution into the problematic vessel. The solution creates a scar in the vein, which closes it.

Radiofrequency or endovenous laser ablations

Ablation techniques treat vein issues by delivering electricity, laser energy, or radio waves to your affected vein to shrink and collapse it. 

VenaSeal

This treatment uses a specially formulated medical adhesive to close your diseased vein.

Once your provider treats your spider vein, your body absorbs it, and your blood flow reroutes to healthier, stronger veins. After having spider vein treatment, your provider might recommend wearing compression stockings for a short period.

For more information on spider veins and treatment, call Garden State Pain & Orthopedics or book a consultation online today.

 

More about Garden State Pain and Orthopedics

Pain Doctors

Garden State Pain and Orthopedics is a group of Orthopedic and Pain Management Physicians located in Clifton, Edison, Hazlet, West Orange, and Jersey City who have provided the highest quality healthcare since 1994. Garden State Pain & Orthopedics is on the cutting edge of technology in pain medicine with expertise across diverse pain conditions and treatment modalities, including interventional pain techniques, minimally-invasive surgeries, medical management, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and behavioral therapy. You can schedule an appointment with their pain doctors by selecting the “Book Now” button. 




Locations:

 

Clifton

Address: 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301, Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: 973-777-5444

 

Edison

Address: 25 South Main Street, Suite 12, Edison, NJ 08837

Phone: 732-376-0330

 

Jersey City

Address: 631 Grand Street, Suite 2-100, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Phone: 973-777-5444

 

West Orange

Address: 443 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone: 732-376-0330



Hazlet

Address: 226 Middle Road, Suite 4, Hazlet, NJ 07730 

Phone: 732-376-0330