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OKLAHOMA'S TRUE VEIN SPECIALIST
ADVANCED
VEIN
SOLUTIONS
Advanced Vein Solutions is a division of Cardiovascular Health Clinic. Our doctors are board certified vascular and endovascular specialists, providing the most cutting edge treatment options. Unlike other treatment centers, we specialize in all aspects of venous disease from varicose veins, spider veins, leg swelling, leg pain, and DVT management/treatment.
MEET OUR BOARD CERTIFIED TEAM
Dr. Blake Parsons
Dr. Parsons is a native Oklahoman who was raised in Ardmore completing his medical degree at the University of North Texas and his residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where he served as Chief radiology resident. He completed an interventional radiology fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is board certified and specializes in minimally invasive image – guided procedures.
Dr. Jim Melton
Dr. Melton is a native Oklahoman who was raised in Anadarko. He earned his Doctorate of Osteopathy at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He performed his Residency in General Surgery and his Fellowship in Peripheral Vascular Surgery at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He is Board Certified and has served as a cardiovascular physician at Oklahoma Heart Hospital Research Foundation (OHHRF), Oklahoma Cardiovascular Research Group (OCRG), Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians (OHHP), and Southern Plains Medical Center.
WE USE A CONSISTENT, STANDARDIZED, EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH.
Our physicians are experts in the venous field. Because of this, we are always up to date on the latest evidence based approach to treating vein disease.
Leg Swelling
There are many different causes for leg swelling. A common cause for leg swelling is venous insufficiency, or leaky veins. Having leaky veins is the same reason some people develop varicose veins.
Common Causes of Leg Swelling
Vein problems
Heart problems
Kidney problems
Lymphedema
Medications
History of Blood Clots
Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to your heart. Tiny valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward.
Normally, the one-way valves in your leg veins keep blood moving up toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, they allow blood to back up into the vein. This in return causes leg swelling.
Risk Factors
Symptoms
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Prolonged Standing or Sitting
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Family History
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Being a Female
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Multiple Pregnancies
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Obesity
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History of Blood Clots
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Progressive swelling of the legs throughout the day which is improved in the morning after laying flat
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Leg fatigue
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Leg heaviness
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Muscle cramps
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Skin color changes
Click below to learn about treatment options
Click below to learn about clinic evaluation
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you can see under the skin. They are often red, purple or blue in color. They most often appear in the legs, but can occur in other parts of the body. While they are mostly benign, they can cause other associated problems, along with pain, tiredness, and a heavy feeling in the legs making it uncomfortable and in some cases, hard to do certain jobs.
Where Do They Come From
Normally, the one-way valves in your leg veins keep blood moving up toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, they allow blood to back up into the vein. The vein swells from the blood that collects there, which causes varicose veins.
Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues. Veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can recirculate. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity.
Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to your heart. Tiny valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward.
Risk Factors
Symptoms
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Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
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Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
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Itching around one or more of your veins
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Bleeding from varicose veins
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A painful cord in the vein with red discoloration of the skin
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Color changes, hardening of the vein, inflammation of the skin or skin ulcers near your ankle, which can mean you have a serious form of vascular disease that requires medical attention
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Prolonged Standing or Sitting
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Family History
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Being a Female
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Pregnancy
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Obesity
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History of Blood Clots
What Is The Difference Between Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?
Varicose veins are characterized by a “rope like” appearance. They are often confused with smaller “spider veins” that are more superficial and usually are only bothersome because of their undesirable cosmetic appearance. Treatment for spider veins is generally not covered by insurance, but they are easily treated with a simple procedure called “Sclerotherapy”. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a very small amount of harmless solution into the vein. You can see the vein fade away as the solution is injected. Some veins may take more than one treatment.
Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Treatment Options
There are a number of ways to treat varicose veins and venous insufficiency, however the most current technology involves using laser power, radio frequency power or a thick solution to eliminate the varicose vein. As the main source of the vein is eliminated, other smaller veins that are like branches of the larger vein usually go away. Treatments are performed in office with the use of local anesthetic. Your treatment will depend on many factors, including your age, health, position of the veins and more. You and Dr. Parsons together can make a good decision about your treatment.
We place a small catheter, the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the diseased vein which delivers energy and shrinks/closes the vein. This is a typical first line treatment based on your ultrasound results and often used on larger veins.
Vein Ablation
Sclerotherapy
A foam is injected into the diseased veins. This foam irritates the lining of the vein causing it to close. This is typically used for smaller veins that remain after ablation treatment as well as the treatment of spider veins.
Phlebectomy
The vein is physically removed through a tiny 2mm incision. This is the most permanent treatment. This is typically used for smaller veins that remain after ablation treatment.
What Could Happen If I Do Not Seek Any Treatment
Having leaky valves in your veins progressively leads to venous hypertension. If this becomes severe it can lead to:
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Significant leg swelling
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Skin color changes
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Bleeding
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Thrombophlebitis (Inflamed Veins)
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Possible ulceration
What Should You Expect During Your Exam?
During your initial meeting with Dr. Parsons, he will perform a physical exam of your legs to:
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Look for swelling, changes in skin color, or sores.
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Check blood flow in the veins
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Rule out other problems with the legs (such as a blood clot)
The first line of treatment is often non-operative and is typically required by your insurance company. There are a number of self-care treatment options Dr. Parsons may suggest in order to fulfill the requirements of your insurance plan, such as:
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Wear compression stockings to decrease swelling.
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DO NOT sit or stand for long periods. Even moving your legs slightly helps keep the blood flowing.
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Raise your legs above your heart 3 to 4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time.
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Care for wounds if you have any open sores or infections.
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Lose weight if you are overweight.
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Get more exercise. This can help with weight management and help move blood up your legs. Walking or swimming are good options.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Parsons will ask many questions and have his staff contact your insurance company for pre-authorization. This will help create your treatment plan and the expectations for a course of action for treatment.
Blood Clots
Blood clots, also known as Deep Venous Thrombosis, or "DVT", is a common medical problem affecting approximately 1 million people in the US every year. Blood clots can effect the deep veins (DVT) or the superficial veins. DVT have an increased risk of causing complications such as Pulmonary Embolism or Post-Thrombotic Syndrome. Superficial blood clots (superficial thrombophlebitis) are a common problem presenting with linear pain, redness and swelling.
Risk Factors DVT
Complications
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Blood Clotting Disorders
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Smoking
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Surgery
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Prolonged Bed Rest
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Birth Control
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Pregnancy
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Obesity
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Cancer
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Pulmonary Embolism
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Sudden Shortness of Breath
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Chest Pain
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- Post Thrombotic Syndrom
- Persistent Leg Swelling and Discomfort
Symptoms of DVT
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Sudden Onset Leg Pain
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Leg Swelling
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Redness in Leg
Evaluation and Treatment for DVT
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Initial evaluation with Ultrasound is performed in our clinic vascular lab to determine the location and extent of thrombus
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Depending on location and reason for developing DVT, patients are typically given a prescription for an oral blood thinning medication. The duration of the blood thinning medication is dependent on extent of DVT, reason for development and history of prior DVT.
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Some patients with extensive DVT and symptoms that are not resolving may undergo an endovascular procedure to break up and aspirate the clot out of the affected vein or veins.
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If patient is at hight risk for Pulmonary Embolism or is unable to take blood thinning medication, a temporary IVC filter may be placed for protection from pulmonary embolism (PE)
Dr. Blake Parsons
Vascular & Interventional Radiology
Dr. Blake Parsons is a native of Ardmore Oklahoma. He completed his medical training at University of North Texas and radiology training at the University of Oklahoma. He also completed a fellowship at the prestigious Medical College of Wisconsin Vascular and Interventional Radiology program. Currently, he serves as the medical director of Advanced Interventional Radiology Solutions.
Contact Us For An Appointment
Locations
3200 Quail Springs Pkwy
Oklahoma City, OK 73134