Venous Disease & Treatments
restoring circulatory health in Coeur d'Alene since 2004
Healthy Veins for Healthy Legs
Venous disease is any disease that affects veins. When a vein wall or the tiny one-way valve inside the vein that help send blood back to the heart is damaged or weakened, the circulation of blood throughout the body is affected causing blood to leak backwards and pool or flow in both directions of the veins resulting in circulatory issues for both men and women.
Venous disorders affect over 40 million people today with women being affected twice as often as men. Typically caused by either blood clots or varicose veins other common risk factors include heredity, hormonal changes and pregnancy, hot baths and intensive sunbathing, leg injury or trauma, obesity, prolonged standing or sitting, smoking, swelling of superficial veins, phlebitis or tight clothing.
When it comes to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of venous inefficiencies, nobody in the Inland Northwest can match the experience and expertise of Dr. Douglas Stafford. For over 25 years Dr. Stafford has been treating patients from Idaho, Montana, and Washington for the most complex circulation problems to the more delicate cosmetic issues.
Dr. Stafford and his team offer treatments for varicose, spider, reticular, unsightly blue, chest and bulging hand veins, chronic deep vein thrombosis or DVT, superficial thrombophlebitis, ulcers, non-healing leg wounds and leg swelling at Venia’s beautiful location in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
the gold standard for diagnosing venous disease
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Diagnostic Ultrasound is a procedure that provides Dr. Stafford with the ability to look at the veins under your skin to determine the underlying source of the vein problem. Whether you have varicose veins, leg swelling, or spider veins, the ultrasound will guide the formulation of your specific treatment plan. Dr. Stafford performs all the diagnostic ultrasounds himself at the time of the initial consultation.
no stitches and excellent cosmetic results
Endoluminal Laser Ablation
Endoluminal Laser Ablation is a procedure in which a smaller laser catheter is passed into the malfunctioning vein under ultrasound guidance through a tiny incision. Dr. Stafford uses the Dornier 940 Diode Laser to burn the vein shut from the inside effectively relieving symptoms cause by the malfunctioning vein. This procedure is done under local anesthesia at the Venia office and many patients are back to work the next day and full activity in three days.
Dr. Stafford is the first and only physician in Northern Idaho using VenaSeal
VenaSeal
VenaSeal™ is a proprietary medical adhesive used to treat varicose veins. The product seals off the vein and alleviates symptoms associated with the vein. This procedure is done under local anesthesia at the Venia office. Patients leave the office with a band-aid to cover the small incision and there is no requirement to wear compression stockings after the procedure. Most patients are back to full activity including exercising the next day and no pain medication is needed.
minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency Ablation or RFA is a minimally invasive technique to treat varicose veins. Radiofrequency energy is used to heat and damage a vein’s wall, which will close off the varicose vein. The vein will be absorbed in the tissue and the blood will be diverted to nearby healthy veins. RFA treatments are very successful and provide immediate relief of symptoms. Patients can return to normal activity immediately with little or no pain.
surgical procedure to remove damaged leg veins
Vein Ligation
Vein Ligation is a minor surgery used to remove or tie off a damaged vein. An incision is made near the vein, and the offending vein is tied off to prevent back flow of blood. This procedure may be performed on more than one vein during the same procedure.
delivering comfort and satisfaction for all patients
Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy is the treatment most effective for removing veins that are too large for sclerotherapy and too small for laser treatments through small, slit-like incisions in your skin. This minimally invasive treatment does not require sutures or general anesthesia and with minimal downtime. The majority of patients do not need to interrupt regular activity after treatment excellent cosmetic results.
premier treatment for small varicose and blue veins
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotheraphy is a treatment for small varicose and blue veins. The veins are injected with an FDA approved medication which causes inflammation, coagulation of blood and narrowing of the blood vessel causing the vein to seal shut and eventually fade away (may take up to one month). Multiple veins can be done during the same procedure and multiple treatments may be required depending on how many veins need treating. Patients will leave the office wearing compression stockings and can drive themselves home or can return to work immediately after the procedure.
specialized treatment for advanced varicose veins
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
Ultras Sound Guided Sclerotheraphy or UGS is a highly specialized procedure for treating advanced varicose veins that are hidden beneath the skin. This procedure follows the same principles of sclerotherapy, except that it uses ultrasound imaging to guide the placement of the sclerosing foam. The procedure is very effective and involves injecting a sclerosant solution into the abnormal veins using ultrasound guidance, causing the vein wall to collapse. The procedure is quick and only minor discomfort may ensue.
state-of-the-art laser treatment for spider veins
Superficial Laser
Superficial Laser is a treatment for spider veins. Utilizing the Dornier MedTech Flexipulse laser, Dr. Stafford is able to target the spider veins. The energy from the laser is absorbed by the blood in the vein effectively burning the vein shut from the inside resulting in the elimination of the spider vein. This may take more than one treatment depending on how many spider veins you have. Patients will leave the office wearing compression stockings and can drive themselves home or can return to work immediately after the procedure.
energize your legs with every step you take
Compression Stockings
Compression Stockings and socks provide external support to the vein walls and work in conjunction with the calf muscles pump to help minimize and control leg swelling and pain. They are universally recommended for both non-surgical and surgical treatment of varicose veins and help prevent the occurrence of, and guard against further progression of, venous disorders such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis.
coeur d'alene varicose vein experts
Before and After
frequently asked questions
What is Venous Disease?
Venous disease is any disease that affects veins. When a vein is damaged or weakened, the circulation of blood throughout the body is affected causing blood to leak backward or flow in both directions of the veins.
What is Venous Insufficiency?
Venous Insufficiency is a condition when blood doesn’t flow back properly to the heart from your limbs causing blood to pool in the veins in your legs.
What are the risk factors of Venous Insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is more common in women than in men and most often caused by either blood clots or varicose veins. It is also more likely to occur in adults over the age of 50. Other common risk factors include:
- Heredity
- Hormonal changes and pregnancy
- Hot baths and intensive sunbathing
- Leg injury or trauma
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Smoking
- Swelling of superficial veins, phlebitis
- Tight clothing
What are the veins that makeup the venous system?
Superficial veins are veins located near the surface of the skin.
Deep veins are larger veins located deep in the leg.
Perforating veins are the veins that connect the superficial veins to the deep veins.
What are vericose veins?
Varicose veins are outwardly bulging, enlarged veins that cause pain and discomfort affecting up to 35% of the population in the United States today.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are not actually veins, they are damaged blood vessels just under your skin that look red, blue or purple.
What is deep vein thrombosis – DVT?
DVT is a blood clot that occurs in a deep vein in the arms or legs.
What is a non-healing leg wound?
A wound in the leg or foot that don’t heal normally. It could be a sign of underlying circulation issue with the problem being either arterial (delivering oxygen and nutrients to the affected area) or venous (removing toxins and fluids).
What are the symptoms of Venous Insufficiency?
Common symptoms of venous insufficiency include:
- Calves tightening
- Edema or swelling of the legs or ankles
- Leg aching, cramping, itching, throbbing, or feeling of heaviness or tiredness
- Leg ulcers
- Pain that increases when you stand and decreases when you raise your legs
- Skin that is changing color, especially around the ankles
- Skin that is thickening on your legs or ankles
- Varicose veins
- Weak legs
How is venous insufficiency diagnosed?
The first step of detection for venous insufficiency would be a physical examination with a complete medical history with Dr. Stafford. He may also need to do some imaging tests or diagnostic ultrasound which will allow Dr. Stafford to see under your skin at your veins and determine the underlying source of your specific vein problem. The diagnostic ultrasound will be done during your initial consultation with Dr. Stafford.
What types of treatments are available?
There are many treatments available for venous insufficiencies and right one for you will be determined by Dr. Stafford and will depend on a variety of factors including: age, symptoms, the reason for and severity of conditions, current health status and history, and how well medications and pain can be tolerated. Treatments offered by Venia include:
- Compression Stockings
- Diagnostic ultrasound
- Edoluminal laser ablation
- Microphlebectomy
- Sclerotherapy
- Superficial laser
- Vein ligation
- VenaSeal
Will surgery be required?
More serious cases of venous insufficiency may require surgery. Dr. Stafford does several types of procedures in the office under local anesthesia and very little or no down time. These procedures include: endoluminal laser ablation, VenaSeal, vein ligation and microphlebectomy.
Can the blood flow be improved in my legs?
Yes. To promote blood flow in your legs, wear compression stockings, exercise regularly, don’t cross your legs when seated, and elevate your legs whenever possible.
Can I prevent venous insufficiency?
If vein problems are part of your family history, doing the following can help prevent symptoms.
- Move around frequently, do not sit or stand in one position for long stretches of time.
- Do not smoke or quit if you do.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
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