After opening on a limited basis last spring, RAI’s Vein Center is prepared to launch its grand opening April 26. The Vein Center is a place where clients can learn about and treat varicose veins and spider veins, with new, simpler and faster procedures unlike those performed in hospitals in the past.
Varicose veins occur as a result of venous reflux, caused when blood flows backward in the leg due to a damaged or diseased valve. The blood pools, causing veins to enlarge, twist and bulge.
Spider veins are very thin veins closer to the skin surface that are not essential to the larger venous system.
Clients who call in will speak with Joan Veltri, the Vein Center coordinator, as part of an initial screening. Veltri asks a number of questions regarding symptoms to determine whether the treatment with be cosmetic or medical. Patients with medical conditions will have a consultation with the physician, followed by an ultrasound of both legs to determine if there are any underlying conditions.
“A lot of places you can do the walk in vein treatment, but really what they’re doing is just treating the surface,” said physician liaison Ruth Hawthorne. “They’re not treating the problem, so it’s going to come right back. So the nice part is you really know if it’s really just cosmetic or if you have a medical condition.”
In the past, the main way to treat varicose veins had been with stripping, a surgical procedure when incisions are made in the leg and the vein is literally pulled out. But new technology has made that procedure unnecessary.
An endovenous laser treatment procedure is done in the RAI office, takes about an hour and requires no down time. EVLT is a minimally invasive laser procedure, where a tiny needle is inserted through the skin and into the vein. The laser travels up the vein to the site of the problem. Patients are only given a mild sedative to keep comfortable, Veltri said.
Spider veins are treated with sclerotherapy, a nonsurgical procedure in which a needle injects sclerosant solution into the vein. The procedure takes place in the office and lasts about an hour, with full results in about 3-6 weeks, or 3-4 months for some larger veins.
So far, clients have ranged in age from young women displeased with their physical appearance to women in their 80s who just want to garden without pain, Hawthorne said.
“It’s really eye opening to see the different types of patients who are affected by it,” said Dr. Joel Neuman, an interventional radiologist at RAI. “It’s not, you know, elderly, overweight waitresses who have been on their feet.”
Laurie Weinstein had been suffering from varicose vein pain for nearly 10 years when she finally decided to seek a solution.
“What really motivated me more than anything else was I went shopping for a new pair of pants, and I couldn’t buy the pants that I really liked because you could see the veins in my knees through the material while I was standing up,” Weinstein said.
She had her first EVLT treatment in August, followed by the same treatment on her other leg 4-6 weeks afterward. Her last procedure was earlier this year. Weinstein works as a veterinary technician, which keeps her moving for the better part of the day.
“I was on my feet this morning from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and I’m tired, but they’re not achy,” Weinstein said. “I could go for a walk tonight, whereas come before, I’d get home and all I wanted to do was put my feet up.”
The RAI Vein Center grand opening is set to be held April 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. at 3120 Princeton Pike in Lawrence. The beach-themed open house will feature interventional radiologists Dr. Joel Neuman and Dr. Blackman, health information, free cosmetic vein treatments, free health screenings, manicures, snacks, Reiki massage, yoga, Chi Gong, empowerment coach and medium Carole Tollen and more. Guests may also win a beach cruiser or an overnight stay in Cape May. Phone: (609) 219-1000. On the Web: 4rai.com.
Patient Laurie Weinstein and Dr. Joel Neuman sit in the waiting room at the RAI Vein Center. (Staff photo by Alexandra Yearly.)
