Won’t I need these veins?
Posted: Monday, June 29, 2015 | Revised: December 5, 2019
Have you talked to a friend or searched online about various treatments for your varicose or spider veins? Were you left with more questions than answers? Do you want to get treatment but the concept of removing veins concerns you? Don’t worry you are not alone.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from patients here at Michigan Vein Care Specialists is whether or not the veins being treated are safe to lose. Patients worry that the loss of their varicose or spider veins will be detrimental to their health or that they will cause issues later in life. Thankfully this is not the case.
Don’t I need this vein right now?
No, Dr. Jone explains “As long as the deep veins, inside the muscles of the legs, are open and flowing normally, any of the more superficial veins are expendable. In fact, removing or sealing off the ones that are allowing blood to flow the wrong direction has a number of benefits.” When you have varicose or spider veins they are no longer functioning properly and have poor circulation at best. Inefficient veins act like a reservoir, holding blood rather than promoting normal circulation. Since these veins are not able to properly perform their duty of blood circulation they are not needed. In fact, they actually pose a hazard.
Veins are vital for circulation. How can removing veins help circulation?
Removing veins that do not function properly such as varicose or spider veins can improve your circulatory system. When damaged veins allow blood flow in the wrong direction nearby veins have an increase in workload to keep blood moving efficiently back to the heart. Once damaged veins are removed the surrounding normal functioning veins have a decreased workload.
Will I need these veins for bypass surgery in the future?
Dr. Jones advised “Saphenous veins that are not working normally are not used for bypass surgery. They are generally too large and stretched out for that purpose. Data presented at the Amerian College of Phlebology Clinical Congresss in 2013 estimated that for every 10,000 saphenous veins treated, one could have potentially been needed for a bypass. Even in that case, there are generally other good options available to use beside the Saphenous vein.”
Are there any other benefits to having the veins removed?
Yes, there are many other benefits to having your varicose or spider veins removed. By eliminating improper functioning veins the pressure on your venous system decreases back to a more normal level. Treatment also relieves the symptoms related to varicose and spider veins such as:
- Itchy legs
- Rashes, discoloration, and scarring
- Swollen ankles
- Tired or heavy legs
- Throbbing or cramping in legs
Find Out More
Want to learn more about how you can have better vascular health? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones today. Call 734-213-3700 now, or if you prefer, fill out our Online Appointment Request Form to Schedule your Consultation.