Venous Insufficiency Treatment in Los Angeles & Walnut, CA

Venous Insufficiency Treatment in Los Angeles & Walnut

Venous insufficiency is one of the most common vascular conditions affecting adults, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed. It occurs when the valves inside your leg veins fail to function properly — allowing blood to flow backward (reflux) and pool in the lower extremities rather than traveling upward toward the heart. At Vein Care Medical Center in Los Angeles & Walnut, Dr. Michael D. Landau is a vein specialist with extensive experience diagnosing and treating venous insufficiency through the full range of advanced, minimally invasive endovenous procedures. Call (323) 934-9191 or request an appointment to schedule your evaluation.

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How Venous Insufficiency Develops

Normal leg veins contain one-way valves that open to allow blood to flow upward toward the heart and then close to prevent it from falling backward under the influence of gravity. When these valves become damaged, weakened, or stretched — due to genetics, age, prolonged standing, prior injury, or deep vein thrombosis — they begin to leak. Think of healthy valves as solid doors and insufficient valves as swinging bar room doors that allow flow in both directions. The blood that pools in the lower legs creates elevated venous pressure that gradually damages the surrounding tissue and drives the development of varicose veins, spider veins, leg swelling, and ankle discoloration.

Signs and Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency

Venous insufficiency may present with a wide range of symptoms, which often worsen throughout the day and improve with leg elevation:

  • Varicose veins — enlarged, twisted, bulging surface veins
  • Persistent leg heaviness, fatigue, or achiness
  • Swelling in the lower leg, ankle, or foot
  • Throbbing or cramping sensations
  • Itching or burning around varicose veins
  • Skin discoloration or darkening around the ankle (corona phlebectatica)
  • Skin hardening or thickening (lipodermatosclerosis)
  • Venous leg ulcers — open wounds near the ankle that are slow to heal

Not all patients with venous insufficiency have obvious varicose veins — the condition can also cause symptoms in the absence of prominent surface veins. A duplex ultrasound evaluation is the definitive diagnostic tool.

Diagnosing Venous Insufficiency

At Vein Care Medical Center, Dr. Landau uses duplex ultrasound imaging to assess the direction and speed of blood flow in your leg veins. This non-invasive study maps your venous anatomy in real time, identifies which specific veins are refluxing, quantifies the degree of insufficiency, and rules out deep vein thrombosis. The results of your ultrasound directly inform the treatment plan Dr. Landau recommends.

Treatment Options for Venous Insufficiency in Los Angeles & Walnut

Dr. Landau offers the most advanced endovenous treatments for venous insufficiency — all performed in-office, under local anesthesia, with no hospital stay required:

  • Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) — laser energy delivered through a thin fiber closes the incompetent saphenous vein from within. Gold standard with 95%+ success rates.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) / VenClose™ — radiofrequency energy applied in controlled segments for precise, thorough vein closure.
  • Varithena® — FDA-approved foam that fills and closes the GSV system in a single treatment session under ultrasound guidance.
  • VenaSeal™ — medical-grade adhesive that seals the diseased vein without heat, without tumescent anesthesia, and with immediate return to activity.
  • ClariVein® — mechanochemical ablation combining vein wall disruption and sclerosant, requiring no tumescent anesthesia.
  • Sclerotherapy — injectable foam or liquid sclerosant for residual varicose veins or surface vessels after endovenous treatment.

What Happens Without Treatment?

Venous insufficiency is a progressive condition. Without treatment, symptoms typically worsen over time and complications such as chronic leg swelling, skin ulceration, and irreversible skin damage can develop. Early evaluation and treatment significantly improves long-term outcomes and quality of life.

Schedule Your Venous Insufficiency Evaluation

If you are experiencing leg pain, swelling, varicose veins, or any of the symptoms described above, do not wait. Call (323) 934-9191 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Landau at Vein Care Medical Center in Los Angeles & Walnut. Early diagnosis leads to earlier, simpler, and more effective treatment.

Venous Insufficiency — Frequently Asked Questions

What is venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the valves inside the leg veins fail to properly direct blood upward toward the heart. The malfunctioning valves allow blood to reflux — flow backward — and pool in the lower legs, creating elevated venous pressure that leads to varicose veins, leg swelling, ankle discoloration, and other symptoms. It is one of the most common chronic vascular conditions affecting adults.

How is venous insufficiency diagnosed?

The gold standard diagnostic tool for venous insufficiency is duplex ultrasound — a non-invasive imaging study that visualizes blood flow in real time. Dr. Landau uses duplex ultrasound to map your venous anatomy, identify specific refluxing veins, quantify the severity of insufficiency, and rule out deep vein thrombosis. This information forms the foundation of your individualized treatment plan.

Can venous insufficiency be cured?

Yes — the diseased veins causing venous insufficiency can be permanently closed using minimally invasive endovenous procedures, effectively eliminating reflux and allowing blood to flow correctly through healthy veins. Treatments such as EVLA, Radiofrequency Ablation, Varithena®, and VenaSeal™ have excellent long-term success rates. While new vein problems can theoretically develop over time, the treated veins do not recur.

Is venous insufficiency covered by insurance?

Yes — venous insufficiency treatment is typically covered by insurance, including Medicare, when the condition is symptomatic and medically documented. Vein Care Medical Center participates in Medicare and accepts assignment on approved procedures. Our team will help you verify your benefits and understand your out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.

What happens if venous insufficiency is left untreated?

Venous insufficiency is a progressive condition. Without treatment, it can lead to worsening varicose veins, chronic leg swelling, skin thickening and discoloration, and ultimately venous leg ulcers — open wounds near the ankle that are notoriously slow to heal. Early intervention prevents these complications and produces significantly better long-term outcomes.

Which treatment is best for venous insufficiency?

The best treatment depends on which veins are affected, the degree of reflux, and patient preferences. EVLA and Radiofrequency Ablation are the most commonly performed first-line treatments and have the longest track records. VenaSeal™ is a preferred option for patients who wish to avoid tumescent anesthesia. Varithena® is ideal for treating the GSV system in a single foam injection session. Dr. Landau will recommend the optimal approach following your ultrasound evaluation.

How quickly can I return to normal activity after venous insufficiency treatment?

Most patients return to normal activities the same day or within 24 hours of their procedure. Walking is encouraged immediately after treatment. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are typically restricted for one to two weeks. Compression stockings are worn as directed. Most patients notice meaningful symptom improvement within the first few weeks following treatment.