Vein Care

At the Ochsner Vein Caer Center we treat a wide array of conditions of the veins, which include:

• Spider Veins: Small, web-like veins under the skin that can cause discomfort or itching.
• Varicose Veins: Enlarged, twisted veins in the legs that may lead to aching or heaviness.
• Leg Swelling: Fluid buildup in the lower legs, often linked to vein problems.
• Venous Insufficiency/Reflux: Weak valves in the veins cause blood to pool and legs to swell.
• Lymphedema: Swelling in arms or legs due to a buildup of lymphatic fluid.
• May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS): A blood vessel presses on a vein in the pelvis, slowing blood flow and increasing risk of clots.

We believe that understanding your health is the first step toward feeling better. Our highly skilled vascular surgeons focus entirely on vein care. We treat a wide array of vein conditions, offering clear 

A physical exam diagnoses varicose veins and should be part of your annual physical. Some common risk factors for developing varicose veins include:

• Family history of vein disease
• Female gender
• Age
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Tumors
• Prolonged standing 

At the Ochsner Vein Clinic, we are dedicated to providing effective, innovative treatments that fit your life. Our expert surgeons perform advanced procedures with remarkable efficiency, allowing you to return to your daily routine with minimal interruption. We partner with you to find the best path forward for your health.

Here are some of the leading treatment options we offer:

• Spider Vein Sclerotherapy: We inject a special solution into spider veins, causing them to collapse and fade from view.
• Foam Injections: A foam solution is injected into larger veins to close them and redirect blood flow to healthier vessels.
• Endovenous Laser Ablation: A thin laser fiber is used inside a varicose vein to gently seal it shut from the inside.
• Compression Therapy: We prescribe specialized stockings or wraps that apply gentle pressure to your legs to improve blood flow and reduce swelling.
• Lymphedema Decongestive Therapy: This specialized treatment combines manual lymphatic massage and compression pumps to reduce swelling caused by fluid buildup.
• Phlebectomy for Varicose Veins: During this minor procedure, we remove large varicose veins through very small skin openings for immediate relief.
• Iliac Vein Stenting: A small, flexible tube called a stent is placed inside a narrowed or blocked iliac vein to hold it open and restore proper blood flow.
• Venoplasty: We use a small balloon to gently widen a narrowed vein, improving circulation and relieving symptoms.

Our expert team provides advanced, minimally invasive ablation procedures to treat a range of venous conditions. We use leading technologies, including VENCLOSE, laser and Varithena, to resolve saphenous vein reflux disease, incompetent perforator veins and symptomatic varicose veins.

For the treatment of spider veins, we develop an individualized regimen for each patient. These personalized plans are tailored to your specific needs and may include sclerotherapy and other effective treatments to help you achieve your health goals.

The term "varicose veins" is often used to describe everything from smaller spider veins (red or blue veins on the surface of the skin) up to true varicose veins (swollen, bulging veins with a ropelike appearance). Varicose veins are quite common, with one in three women and one in five men experiencing problems. Varicose vein symptoms can include swelling, a tired, heavy feeling, leg fatigue and leg pain, as well as burning and itching sensations.

While both are caused by vein issues, spider veins are generally a cosmetic concern, whereas varicose veins can lead to more serious health problems, including discomfort, pain or heaviness in the legs.

Varicose veins are almost always associated with venous reflux. Veins are flexible, hollow tubes with flaps inside called valves. Venous reflux occurs when the valves in the leg veins don’t work well, and backward blood flow causes pooling in the lower leg. Without treatment, the pressure this creates may increase over time and cause additional varicose veins and symptoms, and in some cases can lead to swelling and venous ulcers at the lower calf and ankle.

People who have a family history and who are older, obese or pregnant may be at increased risk of developing varicose veins.

When the valves in veins are not working properly, they can become damaged as a result of venous disease. Venous disease includes blood clots, deep venous thrombosis, superficial venous thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, varicose and spider veins and ulcers.

Symptoms of venous disease can include leg pain, swelling, heaviness, visible varicose or spider veins, and skin discoloration. If you experience these symptoms, consult a vein specialist.

Varicose veins are treated with lifestyle changes and medical procedures. The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and improve appearance.

Vein treatments are typically minimally invasive and performed in our Ochsner Vein Clinic. Most procedures involve little to no downtime, allowing you to return to your daily activities quickly. 

Procedures like sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatment and ClosureFast act to close down a faulty vein. The vein being closed is dysfunctional and is allowing blood to flow backwards and pool, so leaving it open only makes things worse. The body contains numerous other healthy veins that are still functional and can easily take up the additional flow. 

Sometimes the same factors that helped to cause your first spider veins or varicose veins (e.g., family history, age, obesity, female hormones, etc.) will make you predisposed to develop additional vein conditions. If a specific vein is properly treated, the problem usually does not recur, but it is possible that other veins may become diseased.

This is why it is important that, even if you have what appear to be simple, cosmetic spider veins, you consult a vein specialist who can determine if you have an underlying condition (venous reflux). If you do, and you don’t treat the cause of the problem, additional spider veins or varicose veins are likely to develop.

It is unclear if varicose veins can be prevented, but certain actions may help limit the disease’s progression and symptoms. Engaging in routine exercise, maintaining a normal weight, avoiding excessively long periods of standing or sitting, and using of compression stockings may all help alleviate symptoms.

Procedures like endovenous laser treatment, ClosureFast and vein stripping, when shown to be medically necessary, are commonly covered by Medicare and insurance providers. Sclerotherapy for spider veins is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and usually not covered. Consult your insurance provider to determine your exact eligibility and coverage as well as cost.