See a Vein Specialist in Los Angeles
At ProVascularMD, we provide comprehensive care for venous diseases including varicose veins, venous insufficiency, and venous leg ulcers. Browse our educational resources to learn more about conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. If you have questions or wondering when to see a vein specialist, contact us today!
When you’re ready to see a vein specialist, we’re here to help. Dr. Michael Lalezarian is double-board certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist at ProVascularMD that specializes in vein conditions and minimally invasive, non-surgical vein treatment. Dr. L is a committed partner in the battle against chronic venous disease. He values spending quality physician time with his patients to address their needs and concerns, and assist them on their journey to better health.
“Dr. L changed my life. He’s knowledgeable, caring and my experience with his office staff was as good as it gets. I wish all of my doctor visits felt this way. After a few pregnancies I was having incredibly painful varicose veins that was really wearing on me. The treatment was practically painless and I’m so happy with my results. He’ll be my vascular doctor moving forward.”
Michelle H, February 2022
Vein Conditions
In simplified terms, vein disease occurs either because the veins get backed up, as is the case with varicose veins and venous insufficiency, or because the veins get blocked up, as is the case with deep vein thrombosis and deep venous obstruction. Learn more about the vein conditions we treat below.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are veins along the surface of the leg that have become enlarged and filled with blood. Varicose veins are commonly identified as an unsightly cosmetic issue, but they can also cause significant pain and discomfort.
Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is commonly recognized by bulging varicose veins, swelling, and pain in the leg. As vein disease worsens and blood flow in the veins becomes even more impaired, additional symptoms can develop.
Venous Leg Ulcers
Venous ulcers mark the end-stage of vein disease and are caused by severely impaired blood flow in the veins. Venous ulcers tend to form on the back of the lower leg between the mid-calf and the ankle bone.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot obstructs a deep vein in the leg. A DVT is often identified by redness, swelling, and pain. A DVT is quite serious because it can dislodge and travel to the lungs, or harden over time into a permanent obstruction if left untreated.
May-Thurner Syndrome
May-Thurner Syndrome is a condition in which the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein, obstructing flow through the iliac vein. This condition is relatively rare compared to varicose veins and venous insufficiency, but it is an important cause of deep vein issues.
Vein Symptoms
Symptoms of vein disease span a broad spectrum, from cosmetic-only varicose veins to full-on leg ulcer formation caused by severely impaired blood flow. No matter what stage you’re in, we can help. Visit us at ProVascularMD to learn how we can help you find relief from painful veins and their complications.
Spider Veins
Spider veins, also called “telangiectasia,” are clusters of small red, blue, or purple colored capillary veins on the surface of the legs. They are extremely common, but spider veins are not medically significant on their own.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are bulging veins that course along the surface of the leg. Varicose veins are commonly thought of as just a cosmetic issue, but many individuals with varicose veins also deal with medically significant swelling and pain.
Swelling
When blood accumulates in the veins, some of it leaks out into surrounding tissues, causing the leg to become swollen and heavy. Many vein disease patients with swelling also describe tingling, aching, throbbing or numbness in their legs.
Leg Pain
Leg pain is very common in vein disease. Pain patterns can range from dull to intense. Cramping, especially at night, is one of the most common complaints. Restless legs are also common.
Skin Changes
When blood cells leak out of the veins, they tend to change the color of the skin in the affected area. Similarly, inflammatory cells and fibrin leak from the veins, causing the skin to become red, irritated, and itchy or thick, tough, and inflexible.
Venous Leg Ulcers
When blood flow in the veins becomes seriously impaired, leg ulcers can develop. Venous ulcers tend to form on the back of the lower leg between the mid-calf and the ankle bone. Ulceration indicates severe vein disease.
Vein Diagnosis
A routine ultrasound exam is usually all that’s required for one of our vein specialists to understand if your veins are the source of your discomfort. Get a proper vein diagnosis at ProVascularMD and get started on your journey to healthy legs.
Screening
Screening for vein disease typically involves a detailed medical history and a purposeful questionnaire about your symptoms. A physical examination of your leg is also common to look for signs of vein disease.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is the gold standard method for identifying vein disease. A vein specialist or a trained ultrasound technician can often detect the specific location of vein disease, and also determine the extent and severity.
Imaging
More advanced imaging techniques are often reserved for the deep veins. Vascular imaging techniques like venography are commonly used to examine how blood flows through the veins and identify obstructions.
Vein Treatment
The goal of vein treatment varies by condition. In most cases, treatment involves closing down varicose veins, as is the case with thermal ablation and foam sclerotherapy. Other treatments are designed to open obstructed veins deeper in the leg to re-establish healthy blood flow. We cover the full spectrum of vein care at ProVascularMD, with an emphasis on minimally invasive, non-surgical techniques. Visit us at one of our vein centers to learn which treatment is right for you.
Foam Sclerotherapy
Foam sclerotherapy involves the injection of a polidocanol solution into varicose veins to close them down. Foam sclerotherapy can be used to treat both the cosmetic appearance of varicose veins as well as the symptoms of vein disease, including swelling and pain.
Thermal Ablation
This procedure involves applying heat to the inside of the vein using a minimally invasive, catheter-based device. The catheter is inserted into the vein through a tiny nick in the leg, and the applied heat causes the vein to collapse, effectively closing down the vein.
Inferior Vena Cava Filter
An inferior vena cava filter is placed upstream of a deep vein thrombosis to catch any clot that dislodges, preventing clot from traveling to the lung and causing serious complications. At ProVascularMD, we also specialize in IVC filter removal.
Thrombolysis
Thrombolysis is a treatment for deep vein thrombosis in which the blood clot is destroyed and sucked out of the vein, effectively restoring flow through the vein. Thrombolysis devices can utilize force, chemical action, or both to destroy clot.
Stenting
Stenting involves the placement of a small tubular device that holds the vein open. The goal of venous stenting is to enable healthy blood flow through the deep veins, and is often used to address deep venous obstruction or May-Thurner Syndrome.
Be Confident In Your Care Decisions
Vein Education Center
Stages of Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency is a progressive disease that spans several unique stages, from spider veins and varicose veins in the early stages to skin changes and venous ulcers in the late stages. The CEAP scale is used to classify the different stages of venous insufficiency. Learn more in this quick read.
Venous Insufficiency Pictures
Spider veins and varicose veins are easy enough to recognize, but even these common symptoms can present in different colors, shapes, and locations depending on the stage, severity, and extent of venous insufficiency. Our vein specialists provide an extensive gallery of visual features of vein disease.
How Vein Treatments Work
The goal of vein treatment is to shut down or eliminate the diseased vein, allowing blood to flow through nearby healthy veins. This is usually done with minimally invasive medical devices, but can also be accomplished with vein stripping surgery. Learn more about different vein treatments and how they work.
Vein Treatment with Varithena
Varithena is a foam sclerotherapy solution that is used for varicose vein treatment. It’s unique in that it is a non-thermal, non-tumescent alternative to thermal vein ablation, and therefore has distinct advantages over other common vein procedures. Learn more about why we treat veins with Varithena at ProVascularMD.
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