17, 5, 2020

We’re Open: Extended hours, Curb-side check-in, & Virtual Visits

2020-09-18T19:08:55-07:00

We’re Open

Resuming In-office Services

La Jolla Vein Care has been actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our patient care and office protocols.  Our highest priority is to continue providing the highest standard in vein care in a safe environment for our patients and staff.  We have created and implemented a strategic plan using best available practices to minimize the risk of person-to-person COVID-19 exposure in our practice.  These guidelines are in compliance with all State, Local, and CDC guidelines and guidance of the CMA, California Department of Public Health, Center for Disease Control.

While we continue to encourage virtual visits and at-home mobile ultrasound diagnostics, our office has re-opened for medical necessity treatments and for those who require in-office visits. Medical necessity conditions include complications from venous reflux disease and varicose veins such as thrombophlebitis (blood clots), vein hemorrhages, venous leg ulcerations (open leg wounds), and symptoms that interfere with one’s ability to work or maintain daily activities such as leg pain, heaviness, throbbing, swelling and night symptoms that interfere with rest such as restlessness and night cramps.

Cosmetic spider vein treatments are postponed until a future date.

 

SAFETY

We want you to know that our first concern has always been the safety and care of our patients and our team. Although the coronavirus pandemic is new to many of us, infection control is not new to healthcare. For decades, OSHA has mandated that medical practices follow the strictest guidelines in infection control.  In order to put your mind at ease we at La Jolla Vein Care want to share with you some of the practices we employ to ensure our patients that our office is one of the safest places you can be.

  • Less appointments will be scheduled throughout the day so that there will be minimal people in the lobby, with little or no wait time.
  • We’re extending our hours and offering after-hours appointments to minimize the number of patients in office at a given time.
  • Curb-side check in. If you prefer, you can wait in your car and we will text you when we are ready to room you. We recommend this for patients checking in prior to procedures.
  • Prior to every visit, we will ask you screening questions, to ensure symptomatic or at-risk patients reschedule their appointments to avoid community spread.
  • You must wear a mask or cloth facial covering to be permitted into the building. You will be provided with a mask and asked to wear it while in our office. You also will beasked to disinfect your hands with hand sanitizer. Please note only the front entrance is open at the Scripps XiMED building. There is currently no third-floor access via the parking structure.
  • Our staff are required to wear masks for your protection.
  • When you enter our waiting room you will notice that some chairs have been removed in accordance with national social-distancing recommendations.
  • We are eliminating coffee service, snacks and water coolersfrom our waiting area to reduce chance of community transmission.
  • Daily, we are screening our staff and following CDC guidelinesregarding staff members who are ill or may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19
  • As a medical facility, we have always had a policy of sanitizing any surface after each patient encounter – but we are increasing our vigilance and frequency of disinfecting during this time.
  • Please fill out any forms electronically if able and return them prior to your appointment.
  • If you need to fill out any forms or sign consents, we have single use pens.
  • We encourage Virtual optionsand mobile ultrasound at-home visits when possible.

 

We want to assure you that we are taking every precaution to make La Jolla Vein Care a place where you can feel safe and comfortable receiving the best possible care. If you have any specific questions, please call us. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit. We hope at this time that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.

 

Stay connected to learn more about some exciting changes and how we are redefining vein care in 2020, Vein Care ReimaginedTM

 

We’re Open: Extended hours, Curb-side check-in, & Virtual Visits2020-09-18T19:08:55-07:00

How to make compression stocking application a cinch!

2022-01-04T04:40:52-08:00
Stocking Troubles? Tips, tricks, and an easy guide to living in harmony with compression stockings
Applying stockings with ease:

  1. Turn your stocking completely inside out
  2. Locate the smaller foot hole of the stocking and tuck the foot in until you reach the heel
  3. Place your thumbs on either side of the tucked in foot hole, with the heel located on the bottom
  4. Put your foot in the stocking until the heel of the stocking has met your heel
  5. Grab the larger hole or top of the stocking (it should be hanging off your foot) and pull the stocking up onto your leg
  6. Inch and pull the stocking until it has reached either below the crease of your knee for knee highs, or the highest portion of your thigh for thigh highs.
  7. If your stockings slide or have trouble staying up, there is stocking glue that can be applied to the skin.
How to make compression stocking application a cinch!2022-01-04T04:40:52-08:00

Potential Link Between Blood Clots and Coronavirus 

2020-08-19T01:19:16-07:00

Blood Clots in Patients with SARS-CoV-2

Many physicians treating patients with SARS-CoV-2 have noticed an increased incidence of blood clots, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism.  Studies at this point are lacking but there is a hypothesis that this infection affects coagulation. For this reason, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis has recommended that all patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including those that are not critically ill, should receive prophylactic dose low molecular weight heparin unless contraindicated.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)  can pose an additional very serious complication to these patients because blood clots in the veins can break loose and travel to the heart and lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism). Deep vein thrombosis signs and symptoms can include: Swelling, leg pain (often cramping or sudden difficulty walking), red discoloration of the skin and a feeling of warmth in the affected leg.

Potential Link Between Blood Clots and Coronavirus 2020-08-19T01:19:16-07:00

What’s so great about the saphenous vein?

2021-12-30T11:31:57-08:00

The great saphenous vein (GSV), previously referred to as the long saphenous vein, is a superficial leg vein that runs from the top of the thigh near the groin, down the inner thigh all the way to the inner ankle. The top blue arrow in this diagram points to the location of the great saphenous vein. In people presenting with varicose veins, the Great Saphenous vein is responsible for varicose veins over 80% of the time and here at La Jolla Vein Care, we have Great Saphenous Vein treatments. Varicose veins originating off the GSV typically appear in the inner thigh, inner calf, across the shin, or start in the thigh and run along the back of the calf. The other superficial vein is largely responsible for varicose veins in the small saphenous vein. The small saphenous vein (SSV) runs along the back of the calf. Varicose veins on the backside of the leg are often caused by leaky valves within the small saphenous vein.

What’s so great about the saphenous vein?2021-12-30T11:31:57-08:00

What your skin says about your vascular health

2021-11-05T04:08:48-07:00

Darkening of the skin around the ankles may indicate chronic venous reflux disease, a condition of the vein valves, detectable by ultrasound.

venous leg ulcers

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can cause the skin to become discolored, usually around the ankles. Over time, ulcerations or skin wounds may develop.

Over time, leakage of the blood into the area surrounding the veins can cause tissue to die. The resulting pooling of blood in the tissue causes a darkening of the skin. It is at this stage that the skin is actually stained by your own blood.  This is also known as venous stasis skin changes, skin hyperpigmentation, or venous stasis dermatitis because the skin is often inflamed, itchy and eczema-like.  This is most frequently caused by venous reflux, an underlying condition that can be treated. When skin changes like these are present, the condition is termed chronic venous insufficiency.  Over time, the skin condition may worsen and the skin may become darker, firm to touch, scaly and itchy, and the skin may break down causing a venous leg ulcer.

What your skin says about your vascular health2021-11-05T04:08:48-07:00

Varicose Veins Common Cause For Restless Legs Symptoms

2021-11-15T13:32:16-08:00

The restless leg was a reported symptom in 30% of people who suffer from varicose veins, in our study.

Varicose Veins

Those who suffer from varicose veins often report a feeling of restless legs, especially at night when in bed. In our study, about 30% of patients with varicose veins complained of nocturnal restless legs.

Restless legs refer to the specific symptoms of restlessness and urge to move the legs. This is different than Restless legs syndrome (RLS), which is a sensorimotor movement disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an urge to move them.  This is a diagnosis based on a collection of nocturnal symptoms. There are many causes of restless legs syndrome such as neurological disorders, anemia, and kidney disease to name a few, and is often treated with medication. Vascular causes, such as venous insufficiency is often overlooked as a cause for Restless Legs Syndrome. We have case studies of patients who used medication to treat RLS symptoms for years without resolution of symptoms. In our study, 98% of the patients with venous insufficiency and restless legs, had resolution of symptoms following treatment.  In another study, by Hayes, CL et. al, 35 patients with RLS and superficial venous insufficiency underwent endovenous ablation of refluxing superficial veins and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy of varicose veins. 89% of patients reported alleviation of symptoms.

If a patient has restless legs symptoms and evidence of varicose veins of the legs, a work-up for venous insufficiency should be considered. The workup involves a duplex ultrasound evaluation of the leg veins. This may eliminate the need for medication for RLS in some cases.

Varicose Veins Common Cause For Restless Legs Symptoms2021-11-15T13:32:16-08:00

Varicose Veins are Inherited

2020-08-19T01:12:15-07:00

This picture shows the strong correlation between genetics and varicose veins.

One of the strongest risk factors for varicose veins is a family history. We often see mothers and their daughters, fathers and sons, siblings, and some times the entire family for similar varicose vein issues. This picture demonstrates a mother and her daughter with ironically the same varicose vein pattern of distribution. Don’t want your mother’s legs? Stay on top of your vein condition and have them treated or maintenance treatment to avoid bulging varicosities.

 

Varicose Veins are Inherited2020-08-19T01:12:15-07:00
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