Varicose Vein Treatments in Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai, & Wasilla
You may have inherited your mother's green eyes and artistic ability. You also inherited her tendency to get varicose veins. You're not alone. 40% of the population has them, and most of them are women.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with the pain and embarrassment they cause. You can get them treated in just a few easy visits to Alaska Vein Care in Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai, and Wasilla, AK. Call today for an appointment.
Typical Results From Varicose Vein Treatment:
While everyone's condition and needs will vary, we routinely see dramatic improvements in the look and comfort of patient's legs. Discoloration begins to fade, and leg pain often disappears.
Treatments Available at Alaska Vein Care:
At our laser vein centers, the successful treatment of varicose vein disease entails utilizing one or all of the most current vein treatments. These treatments include Venaseal, RF (Radiofrequency Ablation), Sclerotherapy, and Phlebectomy.
Alaska Vein Care proudly offers ClosureFast™ treatments:
The ClosureFast™ catheter uses radiofrequency (RF) to precisely heat a 7 cm vein segment (or 3 cm for shorter, refluxing vein lengths) in one 20-second interval.
- The system’s controlled feedback mechanism monitors intravascular heat parameters in real time to automatically regulate therapeutic power.
- The heat provided by the catheter shrinks and collapses the target vein, creating a fibrotic seal and occluding the vessel.
Learn more about ClosureFast™ on the
We offer the VenaSeal™ Closure System with pride:
"The VenaSeal™ closure system is the only non-tumescent, non-thermal, non-sclerosant procedure that uses a proprietary medical adhesive delivered endovenously to close the vein. This unique approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury when treating the small saphenous vein, which is a risk sometimes associated with certain thermal-based procedures. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the procedure is safe and effective. The procedure is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia, avoiding patient discomfort associated with multiple needle sticks." Learn more at the Medtronic web page.
VARITHENA
We're excited to offer Varithena to Alaskans. This modern treatment allows us to eliminate varicose veins by injecting a specialized micro foam that gently closes the affected area. Blood is then redirected to healthy blood vessels.
The treatment usually takes less than 1 hour and is minimally invasive. Typically, only 1-2 injection sites are needed and nearly all patients report very little discomfort. In most cases, only one treatment is needed to obtain the desired results.
MICRO-PHLEBECTOMY
Bulging varicose veins just under the skin are removed by a second procedure done at the same time as the EVLT called micro-phlebectomy or ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure, like EVLT, is done in the office under local anesthetic. A series of tiny punctures are made over the affected area and a special hook is used to remove the loops of vein. Cosmetic results are usually excellent.
SCLEROTHERAPY
Some varicose veins are best treated by injection of a medicine, called asclerosant, which causes the varicose vein to close through a scarring process which occurs on the inside of the vein wall.
FAQ's
- How long does the sclerotherapy procedure take?
- How do I know if laser treatment is right for me?
- Can laser help with recurring vein problems if I have had my veins stripped in the past?
- If the laser is used to close a vein, how does the blood from that vein get back to the heart?
- Is the laser procedure dangerous?
- Is the laser procedure painful?
- Do I need someone to drive me to the office?
- Can varicose veins and spider veins be prevented?
- Are my ankle ulcers related to veins?
- Should I wait until I am finished having children to seek treatment?
- What can I expect for recovery?
- Will insurance pay for this?
- What kind of compression stockings should I buy for the symptoms of varicose veins?
Definition
The veins in your legs have an important job: channeling blood back to your heart. Since your legs are situated below your heart most of the time, this process must occur against gravity. To prevent the blood from simply running down hill and pooling in your feet, the larger veins are equipped with a series of tiny one-way valves. For various reasons, mostly due to genetic weakness, these valves can fail to close all the way, and allow blood to flow towards your feet instead of the heart.
This backwards or reverse flow is called "reflux." Over time, it results in excess pressure (venous hypertension) in the leg and causes small veins to distend into varicose veins that bulge out through the skin. The excess pressure also leads to pain, swelling, aching, burning, itching, cramps, superficial blood clots, inflammation, and in some people, restless legs syndrome.
If left untreated long enough, skin changes occur, and open sores or spontaneous bleeding may develop. Before you let things get to that point, contact Alaska Vein Care for a free varicose vein screening. We are here for you in Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai, and Wasilla, AK.
Evaluation
Following a physical examination and brief discussion or your medical history, your treatment evaluation will take place. The modern procedure for evaluating varicose vein disease is made possible by the wonder of ultrasound technology. At Alaska Vein Care, we use state-of-the-art ultrasound with color flow Doppler to determine the anatomy of the patient’s leg veins as well as the direction of blood flow.
From this study we create a schematic, also referred to as "mapping," which permits us to determine the very best way to solve your particular problem. We do this at the first visit and the whole evaluation is performed in one location. Patients leave the office with a full understanding of their specific varicose vein problem as well as their treatment plan. Call today in Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai, and Wasilla, AK, to get your varicose veins out of sight, and out of mind.
Insurance
The vast majority of private insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, include the treatment of varicose vein disease as a covered benefit. This includes the evaluation and diagnostic ultrasound, as well as the laser (EVLT -- endovenous laser therapy) and all other procedures needed to eliminate varicose veins, plus follow up visits. This is based on the understanding that varicose vein disease is the result of a significant dysfunction of the circulatory system of the leg, resulting in pain, swelling and other symptoms, making it a medical problem and not merely cosmetic. It is covered like any other medical condition and is subject to the plan deductible, co-pay, and co-insurance.
Pre-authorization is required by most insurance plans prior to performing any procedures. The staff at Alaska Vein Care will take care of all the necessary paper work.
Spider vein treatments, however, are considered cosmetic by all insurance plans and are not covered by any of them. FLEX spending and pre-tax MSA (Medical Savings Account) money may be used to treat spider veins in most cases. At Alaska Vein Care, we also accept credit cards and checks, but do not offer payment plans for cosmetic procedures.
