"Spider veins" was a scary name for a little girl who was afraid of spiders. As it turns out, it's a scary name for a lot of grown-ups too — and one of the biggest reasons people put off getting evaluated. On this Community Health edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Dr. Emily Reardon, board-certified vascular surgeon with Valley Health Vascular Surgeons, for a genuinely reassuring conversation about vein health — what varicose veins and spider veins actually are, why they happen, when they're cosmetic and when they're medically significant, and just how minimally invasive today's treatments really are.

Dr. Reardon walks through the diagnostic starting point (an in-office ultrasound to check for any deeper reflux), the treatment ladder for both spider veins (sclerotherapy — small injections, no anesthesia, no downtime) and varicose veins (in-office endovascular ablations plus, when needed, small micro-phlebectomy incisions to remove the visible larger veins), and the everyday, non-medical steps that help genuinely: regular walking, compression stockings for long sitting or standing days, healthy weight, healthy diet. She also clears up the single biggest patient misconception — that vein disease is a circulation emergency threatening amputation. It isn't. Varicose veins are a drainage issue in the superficial venous system, not an artery blockage. Plus: what's covered by insurance (spoiler: much more than most people think), the recurrence rate (~10%), why vascular surgery is embracing "less than minimally invasive" techniques, and the open-door policy at Dr. Reardon's Winchester and Front Royal offices — no ultrasound needed for the first consultation.

WHAT DR. REARDON WANTS YOU TO KNOW

VEIN DISEASE ≠ CIRCULATION EMERGENCY- The single biggest misconception Dr. Reardon hears is that varicose or spider veins mean blockages, poor circulation, or amputation risk. They don't. The arteries in the legs — which carry vital blood flow to the feet and muscles — are a completely different system. Vein disease is about DRAINAGE, not supply. Even severe cases progress to skin problems and slow-healing wounds — treatable, not catastrophic.

TREATMENTS HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY - Modern vein care is far less invasive than it was even a decade ago. Most procedures are done in-office with injections or through IV-based techniques. The old "stripping" surgeries have been largely replaced by endovascular ablation and micro-phlebectomies (small incisions to remove larger surface veins). Recovery is fast, downtime is minimal, and most patients don't need to take time off work.

TREATMENT PATH AT A GLANCE

SPIDER VEINS (small superficial veins) Treatment: Sclerotherapy — a liquid detergent injected via small needles • Anesthesia: None needed • Downtime: None • Insurance: Usually out-of-pocket (unless deeper reflux is found) • Sessions: Typically multiple, to reach full result

VARICOSE VEINS (larger, often with deeper feeder veins) Treatment: Ultrasound to check for deeper reflux, then a combination of: Endovascular ablation of the deeper vein (through an IV) and/or Micro-phlebectomy for the visible larger veins (small incisions) • Anesthesia: Minimal (typically local) • Downtime: Minimal • Insurance: Typically covered • Sessions: Usually one treatment per leg

EVERYDAY STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR VEIN HEALTH

• Walk regularly — even short intervals help • Avoid long stretches of sitting OR standing without moving • Wear compression stockings on long-sit or long-stand days • Maintain a healthy weight • Get evaluated when things look or feel different — a consultation is the fastest way to know if it's cosmetic or medically significant

WHO'S A GOOD CANDIDATE

Because vein treatments are low-risk, most people are candidates regardless of age or coexisting health issues. There is no minimum severity required to book a consultation — Dr. Reardon has an open door for new patients and often meets first for a conversation before recommending any testing.

WHERE TO GO

Valley Health Vascular Surgeons offer vein consultations and treatments at two locations: • Winchester Medical Center (main office) • Warren Memorial Hospital (Front Royal — a couple of days per month)

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Valley Health: valleyhealthlink.com

• Community Health archive: thevalleytodaypodcast.com — "Community Health"

• Valley Health Vascular Surgeons: https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/our-locations/profile/valley-health-vascular-surgeons/

THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations.

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