Varicose veins are dilated twisted veins just under the skin that lead to pain, swelling and sometimes ulceration. They develop from faulty valves in the vein wall that weaken the vein wall leading to dilatation and reflux. The heart pumps blood rich in O2 and nutrients to the whole body—arteries carry blood from the heart to the body parts. Veins carry O2 poor blood from the body back to the heart.
The universal cause of varicose vein is inheritance. If one parent has varicose veins there is a 50 % chance of getting varicose veins, if both parents 89%. Just being a woman carries a 5 times chance of varicose veins. If you add pregnancy or weight gain, the chance increases. Very important is prolonged standing. Varicose veins are very common—up to 30% of the population will suffer from them but they are easily treated.
For minor or early stages exercise, compression hose, elevating the legs, and weight reduction can be enough. For moderate to advanced stages sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, ambulatory phlebectomy, or other minimally invasive procedures.
Spider veins are small thread like veins in the skin that are connected to the larger venous system. They begin as capillaries, are blue or red, and look like a spider web or as branches of a tree. They are caused by reflux: pressure from the deeper vein to the fragile skin veins. They can be a cosmetic problem or cause throbbing and aching. The treatment is to first eliminate all cause of reflux and then usually sclerotherapy is used to eliminate the visible veins.
The most common cause of spider veins is genetic predisposition. They occur more frequently in women (for instance, in and around a pregnancy). They also may be the result of a traumatic injury. Spider veins on the face may be related to excessive sun exposure.
The most common spider vein treatments are sclerotherapy and to a lesser extent, surface (non-surgical) laser treatment. Sclerotherapy involves the injection (directly into the spider vein) of a chemical solution that will close the offending vein, causing it to disintegrate. If underlying venous disease is present, other vein treatment methods may need to be employed.
With over 20 years of experience and board certification in vein treatment, Dr. Fitzgibbons, along with his staff at the Fitzgibbons Vein Center are experts in the entire spectrum of Los Angeles vein treatment services, including Duplex ultrasound, Sclerotherapy, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, and EVLT.
There are a number of treatment methods that might get rid of your problem veins, depending on the exact nature of the problem. The vein specialists at the Fitzgibbons Vein Center will identify the best treatment for your varicose veins, spider veins or other vein irregularities, and help you avoid painful vein surgery.
Performed as part of your diagnostics to discern exactly where the problem veins lie. It uses ultrasound imaging to take a picture of the veins under the skin in order to find the faulty valve causing the blockage, pooling or reversal of blood flow.
A minimally invasive and highly effective procedure to treat varicose veins. A catheter is inserted through a small nick in the skin, then uses targeted laser energy to shrink the problem veins until they seal themselves off. EVLT has success rates of up to 98%.
The treatment of choice for Los Angeles area patients suffering from reticular and spider veins. In the procedure, a chemical agent is injected into a vein through a tiny needle. The vein reacts by sealing shut and blood flow is redirected to healthy veins.
Often the best vein treatment choice for extremely large and ropy varicose veins close to the surface of the skin. Once the skin is anesthetized, the physician draws veins out with a small hook.
A minimally invasive procedure that uses segmental radiofrequency (RF) energy to provide an even and uniform heat to contract the collagen in the vein walls, causing them to collapse and seal the vein closed.
The VenaSeal treatment is like a superglue for the body. Patients remain fully awake for the entire procedure, and pain is rare. Using a catheter, the VenaSeal superglue is injected into the damaged veins. The doctor applies a bit of pressure to the area to ensure that the vein is sealed shut.
View before and after photos of actual patients who received vein treatment at Fitzgibbons Vein Center. Click/tap any image to enlarge.
Dr. Fitzgibbons is a leading downtown Los Angeles vein doctor with more than 30 years of experience in vascular surgery. A graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine and the University of San Francisco, Terrence J. Fitzgibbons is certified as a vein specialist by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine is also board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He has also been affiliated with the Los Angeles County – University of Southern California Medical Center since 1981, where he contributes his expertise as an LA vein doctor to the Department of General and Vascular Surgery.
In 2006, Dr. Fitzgibbons was honored by Good Samaritan Hospital as Physician of the Year. Professional societies where Dr. Fitzgibbons holds membership include the American College of Phlebology, the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Graduate Surgeons, and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Dr. Fitzgibbons was born to be a doctor. His father and grandfather-in-law were well known doctors in Nebraska. Five of his brothers and his one sister are also doctors. After graduating from medical school, he migrated to Los Angeles for surgical training at USC, attaining the coveted position of Resident Supervisor in surgery. A year of vascular surgery fellowship followed and then he began practice at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan, a closely affiliated USC hospital. In 2006 his fellow physicians honored him when he was named physician of the year, his proudest award.
The early results of endovenous procedures were published just after 2000 and after some skepticism he realized that this minimally invasive approach would replace surgical treatment of venous disease. For the last eight years he has concentrated on out-patient venous disease, performing over 2000 ablations, and the results have been so gratifying and the patients so satisfied that he is glad he made this effort to bring modern venous disease management to downtown Los Angeles.
Dr. Fitzgibbons has acquired his Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI). This is the highest credential attainable for physicians who use ultrasound to diagnose vascular disease. American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Telephone: 213-482-8346
1245 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 905
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Office Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00pm
The American College of Phlebology is the premier association for physicians and allied health professionals working in the field of phlebology.
The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM) was established in 2007 to improve the standards of medical practitioners and the quality of patient care related to the treatment of venous disorders.
Dr. Fitzgibbons is a clinical associate professor in the department of surgery USC medical school.
The RPVI certification documents the highest standard in vascular ultrasound interpretation. By earning the RPVI certification, physicians gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in vascular interpretation ultrasound.
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1245 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 905
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Office Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00pm
