Expert vein care in Fort Collins and northern Colorado.
If you experience heaviness and aching, swelling or have visible varicose veins, you might benefit from getting your legs evaluated for venous reflux disease. Our vein clinic is a team of highly specialized and board-certified surgeons who have been treating patients in northern Colorado for more than 20 years.
Our services
Varicose vein treatment
Varicose veins are the bulging, twisting, purplish-blue cords that appear on the legs anywhere from the groin to the ankle. They form because the valves in the veins are not working correctly, allowing pressure to build up in the veins.
Varicose vein treatment is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The treatments have improved significantly over the past decade, offering decreased post-procedure pain, a quicker return to normal activity and better patient acceptance. Treatments can also prevent varicose veins from progressing to more serious problems such as phlebitis, superficial thrombophlebitis and swelling.
Varicose veins: our treatments
Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLT). This procedure is recommended for the treatment of varicose veins that are caused by valves in your veins that do not work correctly. If the valves do not work correctly, the blood pools in the vein, which causes bulging and discomfort. Laser energy is delivered into the vein causing the vein to collapse and seal shut, eliminating the pain and bulging. The other healthy veins in the body will then take over supplying the blood to your legs. EVLT is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an outpatient setting.
Phlebectomy. This is a minor procedure where the varicose veins are removed through tiny incisions. In most cases this is performed in conjunction with EVLT, but it can be an alternative treatment plan if laser or EVLT is not an option.
Foam sclerotherapy. This is an injection of a chemical that scleroses, or causes the veins to shut down and stick together. This treatment is for veins that cannot be lasered or taken out. It can be performed along with EVLT and phlebectomy procedures.
Your treatment path with us
- You come to our office for a complete ultrasound to evaluate your veins for venous insufficiency (this is not a DVT study).
- You return to our office for a doctor’s consultation to review the ultrasound results and plan any necessary treatment.
- We pre-authorize your insurance, and then call you to schedule your outpatient procedure at the UCHealth Surgical Clinic at Harmony. The procedure usually takes about an hour and a half.
- Once the procedure is complete, you will return to our office for a one- to two-week follow-up ultrasound and doctor’s visit.
Insurance coverage
Most insurance carriers will cover the EVLT procedure if it has been proven to be medically necessary. In addition, some insurance companies require a 6-12 week trial of compression therapy prior to treatment authorization.
We will determine by ultrasound if your veins are incompetent to meet your insurance requirements:
- We accept most insurance, including Medicare.
- Questions insurance companies ask:
- Are your veins incompetent?
- Have you worn compression stockings?