Our Vein Clinic in Edmonton came into existence in 1982.
We are dedicated team of professionals with a mission to provide the best possible service in the treatment of vein disease. Our practice continues to grow through referrals of our patients. Your confidence and trust are appreciated. 

Monika Moniuszko, M.D.

Jeannette Soriano, M.D.

Rebecka Redding , M.D.

Kathleen Baergen, M.D.

Tel (780) 453-9800
Fax (780) 452-6767

Jeanette Soriano, M.D.

Tel. (403) 202-0003
Fax. (403) 202-0034
Toll Free 1-877-434-4144

Jeanette Soriano, M.D.

Tel. (403) 762-4950
Fax. (403) 762-4970
Toll Free 1-877-434-4194
 
 

WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?

Arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities. Veins, by virtue of one-way valves, channel blood back to the heart. When obstruction is present, or when prolonged pressure is placed on the veins, the valves stretch and no longer work properly. The veins in the legs that are close to the surface of the skin enlarge and result in what is commonly called varicose and/or spider veins.
Pain in the legs is frequently related to varicose veins in the lower limbs. Symptoms include feelings of fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restless legs. These symptoms often are accompanied by swelling, which frequently appears after long hours of standing. Vein disorders are not always visible, and diagnostic techniques are important tools in determining the cause and severity of the problem. A physical examination and the use of non-invasive diagnostic tests such as Doppler, duplex scanning and light reflection rheography may be used to evaluate the extent of the disease.
 
 

HOW ARE THEY CAUSED ?

Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins and more than 50 percent of North American women with varicose veins experience varying degrees of discomfort as a result. Other predisposing factors include advancing age and prolonged standing – especially for workers such as nurses, sales clerks, flight attendants, waitresses, teachers, homemakers, tradespeople, etc.

Hormonal factors such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause and use of birth control pills and estrogen also contribute to the disease. As many as 70-80 percent of pregnant women develop varicose veins during the first trimester. Pregnancy causes an increase in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Approximately 60-70 percent of varicose veins due to pregnancy will disappear within about three months of delivery. 
 

COMPLICATIONS OF VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins can cause the following skin complications in the lower legs: swelling, pigmentation, itching, rash, redness, thickening of the skin, and worst of all, leg ulcers. Patients with these problems need to be examined and treated by doctors in our Clinic.

Most (but not all) leg ulcers are caused by poor circulation. The treatment of leg ulcers usually includes compression therapy done in our office. Typically, it is done twice a week and continues for several weeks, occasionally months.

Sclerotherapy and surgery are often required as well to prevent recurrence of leg ulcers. 

Another important risk factor in the presence of untreated varicose veins is the increased incidence of phlebitis and deep vein clot. 
 

HOW PHLEBOLOGY CAN HELP?

Phlebology is the study and treatment of vein diseases and related disorders. It has been practised in Europe for decades and has long been an established medical specialty there. However, only within the last 20 years has phlebology become recognised as and established specialty in Canada.

Phlebology is practised by physicians from many specialities, particularly dermatology, vascular surgery, internal medicine, radiology and general medicine. The American College of Phlebology was founded in 1985 and is the largest phlebology society in North America. It was established to improve the standards of practice and patient care related to disorders of the venous system.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

The most commonly asked questions are whether veins require treatment and which type of treatment would be the best. Veins that are aesthetically unappealing and/or cause pain are prime candidates for treatment to relieve these problems and improve circulation through the remaining veins.

In the past, surgical treatments such as ligation (tying of a vein) and stripping (removing a vein) were the commonly recognised treatments for varicose veins in this country. Today, however, surgery is necessary in a low percentage of patients and is usually applied on larger varicose veins.

SCLEROTHERAPY

Sclerotherapy is a technique which can treat most varicose and spider veins. This non-surgical procedure causes the destruction of veins by injection of a specific solution. Sclerotherapy relieves symptoms in 85 percent of patients suffering from leg vein problems. With this procedure, veins can be dealt with an early stage, helping to prevent further complications. 

HOW IT IS PERFORMED?

A very fine needle is used to inject the veins with small quantity of a solution containing substances, which irritate the inner lining of the vein. In response, the veins close up, collapse and are reabsorbed. The surface veins are no longer visible. The procedure itself is usually not painful. Bruising or pigmentation may result and generally fade in four weeks but may last for months. Scarring is uncommon. The treatment is usually performed in a doctor’s office and requires multiple sessions.

We ask that children do not accompany parents to their appointments.
 

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT?

The success of the procedure depends on careful assessment of the problem by the physician. Various sizes of varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy – from the very large to the very tiny. Patients undergo anywhere from one to four sessions per region, with 15 to 40 injections per session. Your doctor may request that a treated leg needs to be elevated after each treatment up to two hours. Afterwards, normal activities can be resumed. Following sclerotherapy, patients can go back to work, travel or exercise and resume normal activities. Very often sclerotherapy and/or surgical treatment are complemented by wearing light compression support knee-highs.

POSSIBLE YET RARE COMPLICATIONS OF SCLEROTHERAPY

1. Allergic reaction – may vary between a slight rash and severe reaction.
2. Deep vein thrombosis – approximately 1:100,000 injection risk.
3. Ulcer – open sore that could lead to scar, caused by spilling of medication of the vein. 
4. Pigmentation – darkening of skin over injected veins: can be long term or rarely, permanent.

Please feel free to call our clinic in case of any questions or concerns

PREVENTION

Many office workers, tradespeople and homemakers mistakenly believe they have plenty of exercise during the workday. Daily duties as an office worker and/or professional during the day, and homemaker at night, promote conditions of physical and emotional stress which contribute to varicose veins. 

It is important to take time to maintain a high level of physical and mental fitness. 

Exercise like steady walking for approximately one half hour a day is very beneficial because it improves circulation and keeps leg muscles in good condition. 

In order to keep up with increased demands of our lifestyle, we need to exercise regularly.

SURGERY

Varicose veins are removed because they no longer perform their function, because of symptoms of pain or swelling caused by them, because of complications such as ulcers, or because the are cosmetically unacceptable to the patient. Surgery may be required when the main valve at the groin or behind the knees fails.

Surgery may be performed under local, spinal or general anaesthesia and generally results in only small scars on the leg or in the groin. Most patients can return home on the same day as surgery. Surgical techniques to treat varicose veins include ligation, stripping and ambulatory phlebectomy. Surgery can be complementary to sclerotherapy in treating varicose and spider veins.

Most of patients are admitted the day of surgery and go home following  „day surgery”, although some, generally older patients, stay in hospital overnight. General or local anaesthesia can be used. Appropriate incisions are made and the vein is removed. Incisions are kept as small as possible and closed with fine sutures or tapes.

Patients often express concern about how the blood circulated after removing the superficial veins. After an operation, the blood returns to the heart through veins deep within the leg muscles.

Recovery is usually brief and painless. Patients are encouraged to walk the first day after their operation. Elastic bandages are worn to give support and medication is available for discomfort. Bruising and thickening along the path of the removed varicose veins is common and will disappear in a few weeks Recovery from surgery is brief (on average two weeks). Patients are encouraged to walk and avoid standing for long periods.