The North Shore Vein Center located in Lake Success, NY has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Vascular Testing in the areas of Peripheral Venous Testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Accreditation by the IAC means that The North Shore Vein Center has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review. Continue reading →

Q:  10 days ago my doctor injected glycerin in my thigh veins. At first it was swollen and now it’s a solid pinkish-purple area about 6in wide with the spiders on top – darker and more numerous than before. Is this the healing process or permanent?

A: After only 10 days, assume it is a healing process. Make sure he /she checks you to make sure that no infection or trapped blood is present. Wear your stockings for a while longer during day time hours.

Q: I have 2 small reticular veins that are varicose. My doctor is going to do a Microphlebectomy. He said due to the size it won’t even be necessary to wear compression hose after. He also stated there is no chance of DVT. Does this sound accurate?

A: This sounds about right. Some bit of compression may help to limit the bruising that patients sometimes exhibit – even after the most minor of phlebectomies, but the chance of DVT is quite small.

Q: I have some hyper pigmentation on one of my legs after having ambulatory phlebectomy and endovenous laser ablation. What topical treatment can I use to help fade this hyperpigmentation? Or should I just give it time to fade?

A: There is little benefit from hydroquinone creams. These tend to fade over time, but can last up to a year or longer. Be patient for now and avoid sun exposure on these areas.

Call to schedule your free vein consultation and allow me to assess your venous disorders and help you to choose what treatment avenue is best for you!

North Shore Vein Center Office
Dr. Mark Schwartz
Tuesday, April 24th: 5-7m
Appointment required!
Call us today: 516-869-VEIN (8346)

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Q: Will self-tanning cream darken these scars, or will it help blend them in to the rest of my leg? I had an ambulatory phlebectomy performed on on leg in May 2011, and the other leg in October 2011. I have tiny scars from the incisions.

A: For the time being, just keep them out of direct sunlight or covered with sunscreen. They are relatively fresh and will fade over the first year.

Q: My Dad is considering an EVLA, but he is 87 yrs old. Should I be concerned with risks at his age?

A: We have performed these procedures on patients in their early 90s. If he is symptomatic, in good health and is fully ambulatory, he is certainly a candidate. The safest approach is a procedure performed under a local anesthetic only – and make sure he returns to normal activities with compression stockings immediately to avoid developing blood clots.

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Read our article in the March 2012 Edition of Newsday’s HealthLink titled “Vein 101: Learn the types, symptoms and cure with free vein screening”

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Q: I had knee surgery, and was wondering when can I stop wearing my compression socks?

A: If you are ambulatory and in good health, with no history of blood clots, 4 weeks should be ample. But of course, check with your orthopedic surgeon, as he may want you in them longer.

KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate, will air the ACP sponsored documentary “Vein Health: Discoveries, New Technologies and Breakthroughs,” next Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 7pm.

Nearly a year in the making, the documentary is the result of hard work and many late nights by the ACP Public Education Committee under the leadership of Diana Neuhardt; host Dr. Helane Fronek; the distinguished panel of physicians, including Drs. Melvin Rosenblatt, Stephanie Dentoni, Lowell Kabnick, Nick Morrison, and Steve Zimmet; as well as a generous grant from the ACP Foundation.

For those outside of the Phoenix area, the documentary will also stream via the internet on the newly redesigned ACP public awareness website at www.healthyveins.org.