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Individualized Diagnosis and Treatment
Diseases of the veins are varied. Dr. Hopkins carefully evaluates each individual patient to determine the appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment for each individual patient. We provide diagnostic testing and treatments for the entire spectrum of vein conditions.
Ultrasound Diagnosis of Venous Reflux Disease
Venous reflux is when blood flows through the leg veins down toward the feet instead of up toward the heart, which is the normal direction of flow. The reason for this is that the one-way valves in these veins are not working properly. Genetics plays a large role in the development of venous reflux disease - if your family members have varicose veins, you are at much higher risk of having venous reflux. A careful history is obtained to determine if there are symptoms of venous reflux disease, and if so, a duplex venous insufficiency ultrasound is obtained. Duplex scanning allows for very accurate evaluation of venous reflux and possible obstruction. It also allows us to determine the exact location and extent if this venous reflux. This information is critical in order for Dr. Hopkins to make accurate treatment decisions. We have experienced vascular ultrasound technicians that perform these exams. In addition, Dr. Hopkins also performs many of these exams, and holds credentials as a Registered Physician Vascular Interpreter, Registered Vascular Technician, and Registered Vascular Sonographer.
Symptoms of Venous Reflux Disease
Symptoms of venous reflux disease include pain, aching, throbbing, heaviness, itching, and burning of the legs. In more severe cases, significant swelling and even venous ulcers of the legs can occur. These symptoms are a result of increased pressure in the leg veins because gravity is carrying blood downwards, toward the feet - click here to see a diagram of venous reflux. Often patients have restless leg-type symptoms as well.
Catheter-Based Ablation Procedures
Patients with symptomatic venous reflux disease often benefit from closing the refluxing superficial or perforating veins using radiofrequency or laser energy. This procedure has essentially replaced high ligation and vein stripping as the treatment of choice for venous reflux disease because this technique is associated with much less pain, bruising and scarring. Dr. Hopkins performs all catheter-based ablation procedures.
Microphlebectomy
If there is no venous reflux on duplex ultrasound scanning, or the reflux has been already successfully treated using catheter-based ablation techniques, then any remaining varicose veins should be treated with other techniques including microphlebectomy. This technique involves removal of bulging varicose veins using tiny 2 millimeter incisions. Local (tumescent) anesthesia allows for this procedure to be done easily in the office setting. A small hook is used to pull the vein above the skin level, then small specialized surgical instruments are used to remove the veins. The incisions are closed with small "steri-strips." Dr. Hopkins performs all catheter-based ablation procedures.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy allows for closure of unsightly veins using a chemical (sclerosant). Sclerosant agents allow for detraction of the inside cell layer of the vein, closing it shut chemically. To allow for visualization of these veins, either transillumination or cross-polarized light is used. Compression is then applied to keep the veins closed. We have three qualified sclerotherapy nurses that perform these procedures.
Veinwave Treatment
Tiny facial spider veins are frequently treated using a revolutionary new technique called Veinwave. Veinwave treatment uses radiofreqency energy on the tip of a tiny insulated needle to thermocoagulate these tiny veins. This device was recently approved by the FDA to treat spider veins. These veins usually are commonly located on the face or the legs. These tiny veins are typically red (rather than blue). Stephen Hopkins MD, FACS and Anne Hopkins RN, BSN trained with Dr. Newman in the U.K. to provide this treatment option to their patients. Although transcutaneous laser is frequently used to treat tiny spider veins, Veinwave treatment has provided improved, and more consistent results. Our experienced sclerotherapy nurses also performs our Veinwave treatments.
Wound Care Treatment
Dr. Hopkins helps to heal wounds at the Adventist Health Center for Wound Care on average 2.5 days per week. There are many reasons that wounds occur. These are the primary categories of wounds that are treated by Dr. Hopkins:
Traumatic Wounds
Venous Stasis Wounds/Ulcers
Wounds as a Result of Arterial Insufficiency
Neuropathic Wounds
Pressure-Related Wounds
Wounds Related to Lymphedema
Individualized Diagnosis and Treatment
Diseases of the veins are varied. Dr. Hopkins carefully evaluates each individual patient to determine the appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment for each individual patient. We provide diagnostic testing and treatments for the entire spectrum of vein conditions.
Ultrasound Diagnosis of Venous Reflux Disease
Venous reflux is when blood flows through the leg veins down toward the feet instead of up toward the heart, which is the normal direction of flow. The reason for this is that the one-way valves in these veins are not working properly. Genetics plays a large role in the development of venous reflux disease - if your family members have varicose veins, you are at much higher risk of having venous reflux. A careful history is obtained to determine if there are symptoms of venous reflux disease, and if so, a duplex venous insufficiency ultrasound is obtained. Duplex scanning allows for very accurate evaluation of venous reflux and possible obstruction. It also allows us to determine the exact location and extent if this venous reflux. This information is critical in order for Dr. Hopkins to make accurate treatment decisions. We have experienced vascular ultrasound technicians that perform these exams. In addition, Dr. Hopkins also performs many of these exams, and holds credentials as a Registered Physician Vascular Interpreter, Registered Vascular Technician, and Registered Vascular Sonographer.
Symptoms of Venous Reflux Disease
Symptoms of venous reflux disease include pain, aching, throbbing, heaviness, itching, and burning of the legs. In more severe cases, significant swelling and even venous ulcers of the legs can occur. These symptoms are a result of increased pressure in the leg veins because gravity is carrying blood downwards, toward the feet - click here to see a diagram of venous reflux. Often patients have restless leg-type symptoms as well.
Catheter-Based Ablation Procedures
Patients with symptomatic venous reflux disease often benefit from closing the refluxing superficial or perforating veins using radiofrequency or laser energy. This procedure has essentially replaced high ligation and vein stripping as the treatment of choice for venous reflux disease because this technique is associated with much less pain, bruising and scarring. Dr. Hopkins performs all catheter-based ablation procedures.
Microphlebectomy
If there is no venous reflux on duplex ultrasound scanning, or the reflux has been already successfully treated using catheter-based ablation techniques, then any remaining varicose veins should be treated with other techniques including microphlebectomy. This technique involves removal of bulging varicose veins using tiny 2 millimeter incisions. Local (tumescent) anesthesia allows for this procedure to be done easily in the office setting. A small hook is used to pull the vein above the skin level, then small specialized surgical instruments are used to remove the veins. The incisions are closed with small "steri-strips." Dr. Hopkins performs all catheter-based ablation procedures.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy allows for closure of unsightly veins using a chemical (sclerosant). Sclerosant agents allow for detraction of the inside cell layer of the vein, closing it shut chemically. To allow for visualization of these veins, either transillumination or cross-polarized light is used. Compression is then applied to keep the veins closed. We have three qualified sclerotherapy nurses that perform these procedures.
Veinwave Treatment
Tiny facial spider veins are frequently treated using a revolutionary new technique called Veinwave. Veinwave treatment uses radiofreqency energy on the tip of a tiny insulated needle to thermocoagulate these tiny veins. This device was recently approved by the FDA to treat spider veins. These veins usually are commonly located on the face or the legs. These tiny veins are typically red (rather than blue). Stephen Hopkins MD, FACS and Anne Hopkins RN, BSN trained with Dr. Newman in the U.K. to provide this treatment option to their patients. Although transcutaneous laser is frequently used to treat tiny spider veins, Veinwave treatment has provided improved, and more consistent results. Our experienced sclerotherapy nurses also performs our Veinwave treatments.
Wound Care Treatment
Dr. Hopkins helps to heal wounds at the Adventist Health Center for Wound Care on average 2.5 days per week. There are many reasons that wounds occur. These are the primary categories of wounds that are treated by Dr. Hopkins:
Traumatic Wounds
Venous Stasis Wounds/Ulcers
Wounds as a Result of Arterial Insufficiency
Neuropathic Wounds
Pressure-Related Wounds
Wounds Related to Lymphedema