Finding the Best Vein Doctor
Are you suffering from unsightly spider or varicose veins? Do they seem to be getting worse with each passing month? Are symptoms of tired, achy legs starting to affect your sleep or work? If so, you might have the same question many other patients have about vein disease—”Where is the best vein clinic near me?”
QUALITIES OF THE BEST VEIN TREATMENT CENTER
Highly-Qualified Vein Doctors
The quality of a vein doctor is understandably the most important consideration when looking for the best vein clinic. The vein clinic should have physicians with a strong pedigree and vascular-specific board-certification. Patients should be aware that the term “board certification” alone is not enough. Instead, an educated patient will seek out vein specialists that have board certifications that explicitly state vascular training—this ensures those physicians have received formal residency and fellowship training to practice interventional procedures and venous medicine. The only specialties that offer formal procedural training during residency for venous medicine are surgery (vascular, general or cardio-thoracic) and interventional fellowships (radiology and cardiology). So, be specific to ask what board-certification was achieved!
The quality of a vein doctor is understandably the most important consideration when looking for the best vein clinic. The vein clinic should have physicians with a strong pedigree and vascular-specific board-certification. Patients should be aware that the term “board certification” alone is not enough. Instead, an educated patient will seek out vein specialists that have board certifications that explicitly state vascular training—this ensures those physicians have received formal residency and fellowship training to practice interventional procedures and venous medicine. The only specialties that offer formal procedural training during residency for venous medicine are surgery (vascular, general or cardio-thoracic) and interventional fellowships (radiology and cardiology). So, be specific to ask what board-certification was achieved!
Minimally Invasive Vein Treatment Procedures
As mentioned previously, surgery is no longer necessary the standard of treatment for varicose veins. However, that does not mean that a vascular surgeon or cardiovascular specialist shouldn’t be the one treating you. The treatment of vein disease remains specialized and deciding who and what treatment is best for you still requires a vascular expert. Nonetheless, today’s premier vein clinics do manage most vein disease with minimally invasive non-surgical techniques. That means a scalpel should not be the primary tool for vein treatment.
If you’re suffering from venous insufficiency, the vein clinic should offer treatments like radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation, venaseal, and varithena. During these procedures, the vein doctor uses no more than a tiny needle or IV line to treat the vein completely. Once the unhealthy veins are treated and closed, the circulation is immediately improved and blood reroutes to healthier veins to relieve symptoms of congested blood flow.
In addition to venous insufficiency treatments, the vein clinic should also feel comfortable with cosmetic treatments for spider and varicose veins. All too often, patients seeking cosmetic treatments are guided to higher end treatments like ablation without offering solutions for visible spider veins. Instead, patients may be directed to medical spas or dermatologists to complete treatments at an additional cost. Sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy are the preferred treatments for surface veins and should be discussed as part of a complete management strategy.
Tools of the Trade
In order to offer the best and least invasive options, the vein clinic should be equipped with the necessary tools. Make sure that the vein clinic has access to a variety of technologies like ClosureFAST for radiofrequency ablation, Duplex Ultrasound devices, and VenaSeal. A one-size fits all approach is not likely to be seen at a premier vein clinic. And despite limited coverage on VenaSeal, having that option demonstrates a clinics willingness to invest in the latest technologies.
The Staff
It’s not enough for a vein clinic to just have the best doctors and latest technologies. Pay attention to the individuals assisting your vein doctor and completing your vein evaluation. Vein clinics run as a team, and one of the most overlooked members is the ultrasonographer. These individuals have completed formal training in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disease using ultrasound technique. They are the backbone of a good clinic and will help provide the necessary information to your vein doctor to make treatment plans. If the data provided to your doctor is not coming from a reliable source, then you should consider an alternative clinic. Vein clinics that prioritize the hiring of certified and experienced sonographers have made a commitment to safety and the quality of their clinic.
Personalized Approach
Personalized Approach
It’s also important that the vein treatment center takes a personalized approach to treatment. Vein treatment is elective and should always feel that way. The purpose of your vein consultation should be to present your concerns and goals for treatment. Beyond being friendly, the vein clinic should provide a comprehensive evaluation that takes into full account your medical and family history, along with your symptoms. This will allow your vein doctor to make appropriate recommendations and what results can be expected. We will say it again–vein treatment is not a one size fits all approach. Finally, there should always be enough time for questions and answers with the doctor without feeling rushed to make treatment decisions.
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