Page 7 - Chamber PAC May-2018

Vein Clinic

at the Regional Medical Center

For individuals with leg pain, swelling, heaviness, restless legs and
cramping, as well as varicose or spider veins, relief is available at the Vein Clinic
at the Regional Medical Center. RMC’s highly skilled surgeons combine clinical expertise with the latest cosmetic and surgical
techniques to return patients’ legs and feet to a more natural, youthful state. Vein treatments are performed on an outpatient
basis at the Vein Clinic.
WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?
Veins in your legs carry blood back to the heart through one-way check valves. When the veins
become diseased, the valves no longer work properly, and a backflow or “reflux” of blood leaks
backward down the leg causing the veins to bulge or balloon. These dilated or bulging veins are
called varicose and may occur on or under the surface of the skin. This may cause leg pain, swelling,
cramping and skin ulcerations.

WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS?
Tiny red or blue bursts on your legs are called spider veins. Often seen on the thighs, around the
knees, on the calves and at the ankles, they are a result of dilated venous capillaries that fill with
blood and become visible.
Julius Babb, MD, FACS HOW DO VEINS BECOME DISEASED?
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
It is estimated that heredity plays a role in 80 percent of all venous disease cases. Other causes
include aging, obesity, leg trauma, hormones, pregnancy, and occupations that require prolonged
standing or sitting.

WHAT ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Phlebectomy – a minimally invasive procedure
used to remove varicose veins on the surface of
the leg. Phlebectomy uses local anesthesia and
tiny skin incisions that do not require stitches
and are barely visible when they heal.
Radio Frequency Ablation – under local anesthesia,
Michael Hill, MD, FACS
a thin catheter is inserted into the Great Saphenous
Vein through a small opening, using a single needle
stick. With the aid of ultrasound, the catheter is placed
and delivers radio frequency energy to the vein wall,
causing it to heat, collapse and seal shut. BEFORE AFTER
Schlerotherapy – the preferred method of treatment for spider veins. In this simple procedure, veins
are injected with a solution that produces an irritation to the inner lining of the vein, causing scar
tissue to form that seals off the unwanted veins. The number of treatments varies depending on the
extent of the condition; the average number of treatments is three.

*
FREE Vein Disease Screening
Dion Franga, MD, FACS, RPVI
1st Tuesday of Each Month
THE VEIN CLINIC TEAM Registration required. 803-395-4555
RMC’s board-certified general
surgeons are performing the Toll Free in S.C. 800-476-3377, ext. 4555
most advanced venous disease
procedures. In addition, registered
vascular sonographers provide
diagnostic screenings.

ANNEX BUILDING | Upper Level
3000 St. Matthews Road | Orangeburg, SC 29118

www.trmchealth.org
*Any follow-up testing or treatment as a result of
a FREE screening will be the patient’s responsibility.