Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that most often appear in the legs and feet. They develop when the small valves inside a vein weaken, allowing blood to pool instead of flowing back toward the heart. While many people consider them a cosmetic issue, varicose veins can also cause aching pain and lead to circulatory problems.

Diagram of a healthy vein versus a varicose vein — Weakened valves allow blood to pool, enlarging the vein.

Who is at risk?

Age — about half of people over 50 develop varicose veins, compared to 15–25% of the general population
Gender — women are affected more often, due to pregnancy, estrogen and oral contraceptives
Family history — varicose veins tend to run in families
Pregnancy — the growing uterus increases pressure in the leg veins

Common symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include:

Aching, tired or heavy-feeling legs
Visible bulging or rope-like veins
Venous insufficiency in more advanced cases
Skin discoloration or ulceration caused by long-term reflux

Our treatment options

MMRA offers three modern, minimally invasive treatments — all performed locally in our Mt. Pleasant office:

Sclerotherapy →

A minimally invasive injection that irritates the vein walls, causing them to collapse and fade away.

Varithena® →

A prescription injectable foam that collapses diseased veins — no surgery, no general anesthesia.

Varicose Vein Laser →

Focused laser energy closes problem veins with a 94% success rate for endovenous treatment.