My right and left SFJ, GSV and SSV has a mild insufficiency at 1 sec and measures 4-5mm. No discomfort noted. Do I need a VNUS closure?

My cardiologist did the ultrasound last week after it was noted that I have a scarcely visible varicose vein on my right leg near the calf, and sometimes witness a cramp in the calf. No other symptoms. No DVT. Venous insufficiency (reflux) involving RGSV, LGSV, RSSV, LSSV. They want to do a endovenous ablation of the affected vessel. I would rather wait, until I become really symptomatic, which I realize will eventually happen as this condition will get worse with time. I'm 81 years old and fit.

Answers from doctors (10)


NE Laser Vein Institute LLC

Published on May 09, 2015

You should not be doing anything right now. The best thing to do is to wear compression stockings.

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Answered by NE Laser Vein Institute LLC

You should not be doing anything right now. The best thing to do is to wear compression stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of New Mexico

Published on May 01, 2015

No, you do not need VNUS if you are not symptomatic. You would do fine wearing knee-high compression socks and walking daily for a mile to activate your calf pumps. When you develop pain and swelling... you should then consider undergoing treatment.

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Answered by Vein Center of New Mexico

No, you do not need VNUS if you are not symptomatic. You would do fine wearing knee-high compression socks and walking daily for a mile to activate your calf pumps. When you develop pain and swelling... you should then consider undergoing treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Premier Vein Specialists

Published on Apr 30, 2015

No need for intervention at this time.

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Answered by Premier Vein Specialists

No need for intervention at this time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Apr 30, 2015

The presence of reflux is not an indication to ablate the vein and one second reflux is minimal. If you have minimum symptoms, there is no need to rush to treat the veins.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The presence of reflux is not an indication to ablate the vein and one second reflux is minimal. If you have minimum symptoms, there is no need to rush to treat the veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor St. Louis Vein Center

Published on Apr 29, 2015

I think it is perfectly fine to postpone or completely avoid the VNUS closures until you are more symptomatic. The procedures are safe, but they have small risk of complications. With " scarcely visible varicose veins, and saphenous veins only slightly enlarged with mild insufficiency," it is likely you will never be very symptomatic if you have made it to age 81 with only mild symptoms. I hope this information helps.

Answered by St. Louis Vein Center (View Profile)

I think it is perfectly fine to postpone or completely avoid the VNUS closures until you are more symptomatic. The procedures are safe, but they have small risk of complications. With " scarcely visible varicose veins, and saphenous veins only slightly enlarged with mild insufficiency," it is likely you will never be very symptomatic if you have made it to age 81 with only mild symptoms. I hope this information helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Texas Vein And Cosmetic Specialists

Published on Apr 28, 2015

It's hard to improve on asymptomatic. If you aren't having symptoms, there is no reason to perform VNUS closure on any of your veins. Your veins could stay the same, and you may never need treatment. Your cardiologist stands more to gain from your procedures than you.

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Answered by Texas Vein And Cosmetic Specialists

It's hard to improve on asymptomatic. If you aren't having symptoms, there is no reason to perform VNUS closure on any of your veins. Your veins could stay the same, and you may never need treatment. Your cardiologist stands more to gain from your procedures than you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein Clinic

Published on Apr 28, 2015

Given the information provided; no, you do not need to have your veins treated at this time.

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Answered by The Vein Clinic

Given the information provided; no, you do not need to have your veins treated at this time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Apr 28, 2015

The correct answer is yes and no. You have a medical condition in your legs that affects your venous circulation. A condition that can be successfully addressed. It is chronic and rarely life threatening so you can elect to fix it or not. Fixing it will make your legs function better. That said, I would not be having a heart doc fix it. Doing a VNUS closure on those veins only addresses a small part of your vein disease. You need a phlebologist, not a cardiologist to fix your legs.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

The correct answer is yes and no. You have a medical condition in your legs that affects your venous circulation. A condition that can be successfully addressed. It is chronic and rarely life threatening so you can elect to fix it or not. Fixing it will make your legs function better. That said, I would not be having a heart doc fix it. Doing a VNUS closure on those veins only addresses a small part of your vein disease. You need a phlebologist, not a cardiologist to fix your legs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Apr 28, 2015

No, you don't.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

No, you don't.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Destin Vein Center

Published on Apr 28, 2015

Follow your gut. Trivial venous reflux causing minimal symptoms in an 81-year-old should be either left alone or treated with compression socks. Millions of Americans have trivial reflux, and it is perfectly acceptable to monitor your symptoms.

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Answered by Destin Vein Center

Follow your gut. Trivial venous reflux causing minimal symptoms in an 81-year-old should be either left alone or treated with compression socks. Millions of Americans have trivial reflux, and it is perfectly acceptable to monitor your symptoms.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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