For Immediate Release
February 12, 2008
PREMIER ADVISES PATIENTS TO LOOK BEYOND COSMETICS FOR VEIN TREATMENT
At first James Craine of Newport didn’t think much about the little red veins that appeared on his legs. But then the pain started.
“I was in pain driving. I was in pain standing up,” said Craine. “Then I was told by my doctor that if I didn’t do something about the veins, I might eventually have to have my leg amputated.”
Craine’s problem was a condition known as varicose veins. For some people varicose veins, and the less visible spider veins, are just a sign of aging – something to laugh off and ignore. But as Craine learned, making light of those little blue and red veins can become a very serious matter.
“Spider veins and varicose veins are often considered merely a cosmetic issue and nothing more. However, they can be indicators of other serious vascular issues,” said Dr. Christopher Pollock, a board-certified vascular surgeon at Premier Vein Clinics’ Parkwest Medical Center location in Knox County. “Spider veins can lead to painful and dangerous varicose veins. But the condition, and the pain, is treatable. Many patients are finding that treatment is actually quick, safe and virtually painless,” said Pollock.
Craine’s case and others like his demonstrate that the benefits of seeing a certified surgeon can be far more important than just being able to show off your legs again.
“James’ primary care physician referred him to us in time to treat his varicose veins with simple, effective procedures,” said Dr. Hugh Hyatt, a board-certified surgeon with Premier Vein Clinics. “We were able to attack the root of the problem rather than James having to later use a drastic procedure like amputation to alleviate the health risks and pain caused by the problem – the varicose veins. He’s now back to his active lifestyle.”
Just because a surgeon is involved is no reason to be afraid according to Dr. Pollock. Board-certified surgeons such as those at Premier Vein Clinics are trained in the treatment of spider and varicose veins and venous disease, and can use that clinical experience to determine the best treatment option. Thanks to advancements in medical technology, most procedures only require a local anesthetic and take an hour or less, and have little or no side effects or down time.
As with all medical procedures, proper diagnosis is critical to effective remedy. Premier Vein Clinics uses an ultrasound procedure known as duplex vein scanning to identify and assess abnormal valve function in the veins. This diagnostic takes less than an hour, but is a necessary step for the best long-term cosmetic and therapeutic results. Most insurance companies cover duplex vein scanning.
Premier Vein Clinics also offers a comprehensive range of vein treatments, including sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomy and endovenous laser therapy.
Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which smaller veins are injected with a solution that causes them to swell, collapse and fade away. It’s relatively painless and can be performed in under an hour.
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a procedure developed in Europe for the treatment of medium to large veins. It can be performed through pinhole incisions using local anesthetic. The procedure is minimally invasive and performed in the office with little or no down time.
Endovenous laser therapy is a new, non-invasive, safer treatment for larger veins. Laser energy delivered through a small puncture in the leg is used to treat the diseased vein. There is no surgery, and only a local anesthetic is applied. The procedure is performed in the office in about an hour. Normally, the patient can resume regular activity within a day.
Drs. Pollock and Hyatt advise anyone with spider veins or varicose veins to talk with their personal physician about the options available beyond cosmetic treatment. James Craine is glad he did.
“I am happy and proud of my legs now,” Craine said. “I fish and work and travel without pain, and my legs look normal again. I am very grateful to Dr. Hyatt. Everything went as we planned, and my legs won’t ever again keep me from playing with my grandchildren.”
Headquartered in Knoxville, Premier Surgical Associates has 25 surgeons who perform general, vascular (vein), bariatric, breast and laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures. Premier has offices in Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge and Lenoir City. Premier physicians perform surgeries at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Parkwest Medical Center, Parkwest Surgery Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center, St. Mary’s Ambulatory Center, Physicians Surgery Center, Blount Memorial Hospital and Maryville Surgical Center in Maryville, Methodist Medical Center and Advanced Family Surgery Center in Oak Ridge, and Fort Loudoun Medical Center in Lenoir City. For more information, visit http://www.premiersurgical.com.