Memphis Vascular offers the latest advances in treatment for varicose veins in Memphis!
Venaseal uses a glue rather than heat to close the vein. That means less needle sticks, minimal usage of compression hose, and less bruising!
Find out more by watching the video with Dr. Roberts on channel 3!
To learn more about vein treatments click here.
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Another first for Memphis Vascular and the city of Memphis:
Dr Wes Angel performed the first Prostate Artery Embolization in Memphis! This procedure is a non-invasive option rather than surgery for specific patients with Prostate cancer or enlarged prostates.
Working in collaboration with the local urologists, we selected the first candidate. It was a big success!
This patient had a prostate so large it created a blockage preventing him from urinating on his own. He had to have a catheter for months in order to drain his bladder. A short time after the procedure, the prostate has shrunk enough to allow him to have the catheter removed and he can urinate on his own now.
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Memphis Vascular Center is leading the way in aggressively treating Pulmonary Embolism or PE in the Memphis area.
Currently, we have treated over 15 patients using the Flowtriever device. Dr. Jon Roberts, Dr. Dale Hansen III, Dr. Scott Osborne and Dr. Wes Angel have all used the Inari Flowtriever device to save patients’ lives.
Pulmonary Embolism is the development of blood clots in the arteries that lead to the lungs. These clots block oxygen from getting into the blood from the lungs and put a significant strain on the patient’s heart. Now, with the help of this device, patients are recovering quicker and getting discharged home faster from what could have been a fatal diagnosis.
According to Dr. Wes Angel, “I walked in on patients and the oxygen was going at full-blast. The patient was still struggling to keep their oxygen levels up.”
This device allows our doctors to remove the clot directly rather than opting for dissolving medications or open surgery.
“There are other devices on the market, but none that are as effective as this with direct removal of clots and quick results,” Dr. Roberts said.
The Flowtriever device has allowed our physicians to safely remove over 10 large blood clots in one patient.
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Painful varicose and spider veins can develop over time on a wide variety of people. Some of the healthiest lifestyles will not prevent venous disease from presenting itself.
Varicose veins are the most visible sign of venous disease. Approximately 72% of women and 42% of the men will experience venous disease by age 60. Dr. Jon Roberts at Memphis Vascular Center has seen it all in his 20 plus years of treating patients with venous disease.
Here are some of the misconceptions when dealing with venous disease.
Dr. Roberts said, “Typically, the older you get, the more prone you are to having visible signs of venous disease. However, you can develop signs and symptoms other than visual ones at any age. Symptoms of swelling and pain in your legs after you have been active all day are signs of possible venous disease.”
At Memphis Vascular Center, we offer the “gold standard” of diagnosing venous disease by performing duplex ultrasounds with our nationally registered technologists and MVC is a nationally registered venous testing center and vein center. Memphis Vascular Center was the first treatment center in the Mid-south to attain national accreditation.
Dr. Roberts has a direct message for some who have heard these rumors, “the new technology that is available, along with a skill physician can make the process almost completely painless.” No longer is general anesthesia needed, or long recovery times, or having scars after a procedure. “Most of our patients go about doing their plans for that day after having the procedure. We even had a patient have a procedure on Wednesday and run a 5k that Saturday,” said Dr. Roberts.
Many patients do seek treatment just because they don’t like the way their legs look, however, “when symptoms such as: pain, heaviness, restless legs, cramps, swelling, or throbbing are present- it is considered a medical condition,” explained Dr. Roberts.
Dr. Roberts said, “Venous treatments are directed at resolving the underlying conditions that are causing the symptoms, which can get worse if left unchecked. Many people suffer from symptoms for many years or they can elect to have a procedure that takes less than an hour and be able to live day-to-day life without those symptoms anymore.”
Venous treatments are typically covered by most insurance plans if the patient is suffering from symptoms and the ultrasound shows documentation of venous disease. At Memphis Vascular Center, we will check with your insurance company’s coverage policy and get a pre approval from them before scheduling your procedure. Insurance does not cover treatments on patients without symptoms or if they do not like the way their legs look.
“Most insurance companies require you to wear compression hose for a given period of time before treatment. So, if you are developing symptoms, it is important to start wearing hose while you are moving around during the day. The hose can help decrease your symptoms and cut down on your wait time to have a procedure done,” explained Dr. Roberts.
“Some of my patients have been dealing with venous related issues for decades, and just believed that is a part of getting older,” said Dr. Roberts.
“Patients just assume because their mother, father, or grandmother lived with them, they need to do the same. We have such better technology now and tools available to us that we can solve a decade worth of symptoms with a procedure that lasts less than an hour,” Dr. Roberts stated.
If you are having symptoms such as: pain, heaviness, restless legs, cramps, swelling, or throbbing, please contact Memphis Vascular Center at 901-683-1890 or go to memphisvascular.com and request an appointment.
Or if you don’t like the way your legs look, we can help with that too!
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This Valentine’s Day, make sure you love your legs!
If you are noticing some large veins or spider veins coming up on your legs, NOW is a perfect time to address it! Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jon Roberts so he can carefully diagnosis if there are any underlying causes before he can recommends treatment. Dr. Roberts performs all the treatments at Memphis Vascular Center.
Are your legs slowing you down at the end of the day because of pain or swelling? Or do you not like the way they look? Call today to see Dr. Jon Roberts. We can get you treated in time to look great this summer! Call today! 901-683-1890
Click here for more information.
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Roughly 40 million American adults suffer from varicose veins. These bulgy veins can be unsightly and make it embarrassing to wear what you want. They cause a multitude of symptoms that can affect your daily activities. Varicose veins are painful and inconvenient, but how exactly do they form?
Varicose veins start when the valves in the veins stop working. When the valves stop working correctly, this can be from trauma or from family history. This is referred to as venous insufficiency, or when blood in the veins does not flow the back towards the heart correctly. This will increase blood pressure in the vein. Veins then start swelling and become painful. As the pressure increases, the veins start to twist and turn over time. The swelling will make them bulge out from the legs, which can be a cosmetic issue for some. Varicose veins are a direct result of veins not working properly.
Varicose veins result in many bothersome symptoms. This vein condition is inconvenient and could make it tedious to do the activities you once loved. One of the major symptoms is leg pain and swelling. Because of the buildup of blood happening the veins, the legs and feet are carrying more blood than they normally should. This causes many other symptoms such as swollen feet, a burning sensation in the legs, achy legs and even leg cramps.
Thankfully, varicose veins are easily treated. There are a variety of options to treat varicose veins. Here at Memphis Vascular Center, we offer minimally invasive treatments that will have your legs feeling like new again. There is a treatment option for everyone, and we want to help you find the perfect one.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, or you see bulgy, blue veins sticking out from your leg, don’t be afraid to give us a call at (901) 683-1890 to schedule a consultation. The team at Memphis Vascular Center has specialized in varicose vein care for over 20 years, and we would love to assist you as best we can.
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Varicose veins are large, bulging, blue veins that appear on the legs. They are due to venous insufficiency, and they are quite common. Some of the symptoms of varicose veins include swollen feet, a burning sensation in the legs, and leg pain. Learn more here: Leg Pain Symptoms
There are some factors that make it more likely for a person to develop varicose veins. If someone has a long family history of varicose veins, it is likely that varicose veins will appear for them. Women have a greater tendency to have varicose veins. Pregnancy puts pressure on many parts of the body, one of them being veins. This pressure can lead to the development of varicose veins. As you age, your risk of varicose veins increases. Being overweight or obese also increases a person’s chance of developing this condition.
Varicose veins are difficult enough to withstand as is, so knowing what could make them worse is vital to dealing with them until you can get treated. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time is one thing that could make the pain and swelling worse. It is important to keep up a good life balance when managing this condition.
While there is no tangible way to prevent varicose veins from appearing, there are things you can do that can prevent them from getting worse and alleviate some of the symptoms. Exercise is a great tool for helping with varicose veins. Exercising increases blood flow and strengthens muscles. These two things are key to helping with the pain and swelling that come along with varicose veins. Since being overweight is a risk factor for varicose veins, losing weight can help prevent them from getting worse and developing further. It is important to avoid wearing tight-fitted clothing if you have varicose veins. Tight clothing can add pressure to your veins, causing your venous insufficiency to become worsened.
Here at Memphis Vascular Center, we offer minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins. If you would like to schedule a consultation, or if you would like to get more information on our treatments, call (901) 683-1890. Our team members are eager to help those in need of information or treatment.
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Kyphoplasty is a highly effective, minimally-invasive procedure that treats vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), which are small breaks in the spine. These compression fractures can cause your spine to shorten and curve forward. Typically, the main cause of vertebral compression fractures is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to become more fragile.
You might be a candidate for kyphoplasty if you have increasing back pain caused by a fracture. Kyphoplasty patients often have a reduced ability to move and function. Your healthcare provider will help you determine if you are a strong candidate for kyphoplasty.
Now, you might be wondering what the kyphoplasty procedure is like. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure requiring no anesthesia; so you are able to return home on the day of your appointment. You lie on a table on your stomach so that the physician can insert a small needle into the vertebra. An x-ray helps guide the needle into position. Your physician inserts a balloon-like device into the vertebra so that the space can be filled with a special bone cement. The cement is what closes the bone fracture.
Kyphoplasty is an extremely low-risk procedure. As with any minimally-invasive procedure, there is a slight risk of infection, bleeding, or increased pain. However, your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions to reduce these risks. Soreness is common with kyphoplasty, but it should resolve within a couple of days.
Most people experience pain relief within 48 hours of kyphoplasty, but some patients feel relief immediately. You will likely be able to return to normal activities immediately. Avoid strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks.
Achieve long-lasting pain relief today! Memphis Vascular Center offers Kyphoplasty at our office in Germantown. If you would like to learn more about Kyphoplasty, please contact Memphis Vascular Center at 901-683-1890.
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In the United States, over 600,000 new cases of DVT are diagnosed each year. During DVT, blood clots occur in deep veins because your veins are injured or the blood flowing through them is too slow. The blood clots either partially or completely restrict blood flow through your vein. It is most common for DVTs to happen in your lower leg, but they can occur in other body areas such as the arm, brain, or liver.
DVT is most common in adults over the age of 60, but can occur in people of any age. There are a variety of factors that contribute to the development of DVT. Although risk factors increase a person’s risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some common risk factors for DVT include being sedentary for too long, a family history of blood clots, obesity, and pregnancy. DVT is nicknamed “Economy Class Syndrome” due to the occurrence after sitting on long flights.
About 50% of people with DVT do not experience any symptoms. However, the most common symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, and redness at the affected site. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Diagnosing DVT requires tests performed by a doctor.
DVT is not life-threatening, but it is possible for the blood clots to break free and travel through your bloodstream. In certain cases, they can travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). PEs can be life-threatening, so it is important to have DVT treated.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis is an effective treatment for DVT. The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist, and breaks up the blood clot to restore blood flow within the vein. A doctor inserts a catheter into the leg vein while being guided by imaging technology. Then, the catheter is placed into the clot, and a drug is infused to break up the clot. Typically, it takes one to two days for the clot to fully dissolve. Catheter-directed thrombolysis for DVT gives patients the best chance at avoiding long-term symptoms.
Memphis Vascular Center offers catheter-directed thrombolysis for DVT. If you would like to learn more about DVT treatment or schedule your appointment, please give us a call at 901-683-1890.
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Pelvic congestion, also known as pelvic venous congestion syndrome (PVCS), is a condition that affects many women ages 20-45 who have given birth more than once, have polycystic ovary syndrome, or varicose veins. It occurs when the veins in the pelvis become enlarged and engorged, causing discomfort and pain. Approximately 40% of visits to the gynecologist involve chronic pelvic pain complaints, and it’s estimated that up to 30% of these are likely related to pelvic congestion.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis is an effective treatment for DVT. The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist, and breaks up the blood clot to restore blood flow within the vein. A doctor inserts a catheter into the leg vein while being guided by imaging technology. Then, the catheter is placed into the clot, and a drug is infused to break up the clot. Typically, it takes one to two days for the clot to fully dissolve. Catheter-directed thrombolysis for DVT gives patients the best chance at avoiding long-term symptoms.
While it’s still unclear as to why pelvic congestion occurs, problems with blood flow in ovarian veins and the veins in the pelvis play a significant role. Normally, the blood in the veins flows upward towards the heart, and structures in the veins called valves prevent blood flow from going backward, called reflux. With pelvic congestion, those valves don’t work properly because the vein is dilated, resulting in an overly filled vein that causes pain.
While pelvic congestion symptoms can vary from woman to woman, the most common symptoms of PVCS are:
If a patient is experiencing symptoms, an ovarian vein embolization is the recommended treatment for PVCS. Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure typically done with the patient on an incline or standing, since veins usually decrease in size when lying down, making it hard to diagnose and treat.
During the procedure, the interventional radiologist will insert a thin catheter into the femoral artery near the groin and guide it to the affected area using x-ray imaging. To seal the enlarged vein and relieve painful pressure, the interventional radiologist then inserts tiny coils often with a sclerosing agent (the same type of material used to treat varicose veins) to close the vein. The procedure is safe and effective, and patients can return to normal activities immediately.
Memphis Vascular Center performs ovarian vein embolization for women with pelvic congestion syndrome throughout the greater Memphis area. For more information on PCS or to schedule an appointment to learn more about ovarian vein embolization, please call 901-683-1890 or schedule an appointment online HERE.
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