Mountcastle Vein Centers

Younger Legs! We help you have Younger Legs! Legs that look and feel younger!'
'State of the Art' Treatments of Leg Veins Effective, Safe, and Painless

Daniel J. Mountcastle, MD, FAAEM, Director
Board Certified
Ohio State University College of Medicine,
Class of 1974
Specialty Practice for Leg Veins,
Member of American College of Phlebology

727-865-6941 / 813-634-1333

Tampa Bay Offices:
St. Petersburg (Isla del Sol)
Largo (Brian Dairy)
Sun City Center (Upper Creek Drive)

Before

38y/o before one 45 min. laser in our office.
Failed valves in right greater saphenous vein.

After

38 y/o six months after a 45 min laser treatment.
Endovenous laser closure of greater saphenous vein.

Before

68 y/o after laser, before micro-phlebectomy!
Before office phlebectomy procedure.

After

68 y/o after laser and micro-phlebectomy:
This patient's neighbors want legs like hers!

The following patient also had a 45 minute laser procedure. The vein shrank a great deal and a second 45 minute procerdure, the micro-phlebectomy in our office, removed this varicosity.

Before

64y/o before laser and micro-phlebectomy:
Two 45 minute painless procedures at our office.

After

64 y/o after 2 painless, 45 min office treatments:
The patient is of course, delighted.

Early Detection and Treatment
Patients can have severe vein problems with legs that appear normal! 9 of 10 varicose veins are inside the leg causing pain, aching, and tiredness! Capillaries under pressure leak fluid, protein and blood cells inside the leg causing edema, swelling, cramps, and sickened and stained skin above.

Early dectection and treatment are key to preventing your leg from looking like your mother's or father's legs. Vein disease is usually progressive when not treated. Modern treatments offer dramatic improvement not only to patients with varicose veins, spider veins, swollen ankes, tired/aching/painful legs, night cramps, and varieties of restless leg syndrome, but also to patients with severe stasis dermatitis skin changes shown below. These patients, just like the varicose vein patients and others listed above, suffer from chronic failure of the vein valves. These patients need the same workup and treatment as the varicose vein patients......an ultrasound of the legs and endovenous laser or radiofrequency closure of failed veins.

The photos below show varieties of stasis dermatitis, the discolored, damaged and even ulcerated skin caused by chronic pressure resulting from failed valves in veins. These patients experience dramatic improvement after treatment of their veins that have failed valves. It is the increased venous pressure from failure of valves in the veins above that causes these skin changes.

Varicose Veins & Spider Veins
- just the 'tip of the iceberg!'

Everyone knows that vein specialists treat varicose veins.

Some people know that failed vein valves cause varicosities.

Few people know that failed valves in the veins can also cause:

Leg Cramps, Night Cramps
Swollen Ankles
Secondary Restless Leg Symptoms
Brown/Red Discoloration of Skin
Itching, Burning, Scaling Skin
Painful/Aching/Tired Legs

In the links above and to the left, I explore vein related problems in the legs and their treatment. I hope you find this information useful. Please contact me by clicking on this link to my email or phone (Pinellas: 727-865-6941; Hillsborough: 813-634-1333; or toll free at 888-865-6941) if you have any questions. - Daniel Mountcastle, MD

Dr. Mountcastle,

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did for me.

As you know, I had been suffering with severe throbbing, aches, and pains in my right leg for over two years. Sleeping at night was nearly impossible, due to the involuntary leg movements that occurred most nights. This caused me to have problems at work and in everyday life. All of this continued despite all my efforts to get relief (legs up on pillows, massages, Potassium pills, drinking lots of water, support hose, many different types of shoes, and leg exercises at least twice a day). Long stretches of sitting, especially in a car or on a plane, caused excruciating pain.

I had seen several doctors with no relief.

I prayed every night that I would get some relief and be able to sleep. Rarely did I have such luck. I was diagnosed with "restless leg syndrome" and given medication for it, but got little to no relief.

I began to think this was how I would have to spend the rest of my life. When I saw your ad, I had no idea this would be the best phone call I ever made.

At my appointment you fixed the vein that you said was bothering me and causing all my trouble. My recovery was very rapid, with little to no pain and I was back to full duty at my Physical Therapy job the next day with no restrictions.

Thanks again Dr. Mountcastle, you have changed my life.

Vicky Pilla

It might be best to begin a discussion of modern (post year 2001) vein treatment by pointing out what it is NOT:

Not surgical! Vein procedures are no longer surgical.
.........The new procedures require: No pain. No scars. No recovery period. No hospitalization. No general anesthesia.

No more "Vein Stripping"
........this old fashioned and much feared operation performed by vascular surgeons is no longer necessary or recommended. Now we simply start an IV in the failed vein and gently close it from the inside with laser

No more "Surgical Phlebectomy"
........using incisions to remove surface veins is now old fashioned and unnecessary......it is now replaced by painless micro-phlebectomy through needle holes.

No more "Saline Sclerotherapy"
........saline hurts and often leaves marks....it belongs in the past... the new sclerosing solution does not hurt and is very effective.

Not rocket science!
Vein disease is not complicated:

The cause of all problems with veins in the legs is simply failed valves. Genetics (80%), hormones of pregancy, occupations requiring prolonged standing, injuries, clots, and some extreme sports damage vein valves.....one way 'check' valves with delicate leaflets. Failed, 'incompetent', vein valves can not longer support the weight of the column of blood above them. When you are standing, gravity then causes increased pressure in the veins below failed valves. This pressure causes the veins below to dilate (red spider veins, purple reticular veins, and larger varicose veins - unsighly and prone to clots, i.e. phlebitis, on the surface of the legs and a cause of aching, tired legs when inside).

This pressure also causes the delicate cappillaries inside the leg below failed valves to leak fluid, protein, and blood cells and this causes the swollen ankles, night cramps, restless sypmtoms, skin color changes, buning, itching, dermatitis, and ulceration often experienced by patients with leg vein problems.

Not difficult to investigate!
The investigation is simply a properly performed 45 minute office ultra-sound performed upright performed by a certified and very experiences ultrasonographer who is equipped with tools (seen only in vein specialty offices) to standardize and carefully evaluate all the veins in your legs.

Not difficult to treat!
The 'state of the art' treatments are three rather simple 45 minute procedures that Dr. Mountcastle performs in our offices:

Laser (EVLT) closure of veins with malfunctioning valves....... These are the gentlest and most effective of the modern treatments for veins. These are the best treatments that the newest technology has to offer.
Ambulatory Micro-Phlebectomy - no scalpels, painless 45 minute treatment in our offices. Through needle punctures only, using a tiny instrument, even the worst varicose veins are painlessly removed.
Sotradecol, FDA Approved Sclerotherapy - a series of tiny, very superficial injections using just the tip of the smallest needle that is commercially available. These injections are used to treat superficial spider or blue reticular veins on the legs, ankles and feet.

Not 'only cosmetic'! Vein procedures are usually "medically" necessary and billed to insurance rather than 'only cosmetic'!

Only 5% of our work is primarily cosmetic. Most of modern vein treatment is directed to resolving problems resulting from failed vein valves and the resulting increased pressure on veins below that causes: pain & aching, night cramping &'Charley Horses', dangerous and painful varicose veins, bleeding purple reticular veins, swollen ankles, "secondary" restless leg symptoms, skin changes (red/brown discoloration, itching, burning, scaling, ulceration) and other medical issues.

Not only for women! Women and men both suffer from medical vein issues - half of our patients are men!

Most vein problems have genetic origins. Some are related to occupation, sports, injury or pregnancy.

Not painful! All treatments are done in our offices and are painless, very effective, minimally invasive and non-surgical!

Fear and Ignorance (please see discussion in the side bar menu) that keep people from getting their veins fixed and maintaining them.

Not disabling.....no downtime! There is no 'downtime' with any of our treatments - patients may return to normal activity immediately!

Not threatening! Private, small clinic atmosphere.

We take our time, treating just one patient at a time and focusing all of our efforts and attention on you alone. Patients report that this makes our office unique and makes their patient experience much more satisfying. There are only three chairs in our waiting room. And, we take the time to sit down and discuss your concerns in detail.

Not an aside at our offices! Our total focus is on non-surgical treatment of leg vein problems.

Our office does not have a large cosmetic procedure menu or a vascular surgery emphasis. We do not have 'hot and cold running' cosmeticians and all variety of assistants. You will not be 'fit-in' between Botox, Juvaderm and Restylane injections as in an office with a large cosmetic practice. You will not 'squeezed-in' amongst a variety of surgical emergencies, serious arterial cases, and follow-ups of endarterectomies, amputations and aneurysm repairs as in a vascular surgery office. Dr. Mountcastle exclusively treats vein disease of the legs. Vein disease of the legs, with the tremendous advances in non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments that have been made over the past five years, is now generally a medical issue and no longer belongs in or requires cosmetic or vascular surgery offices.

Not a routine ultrasound!

Ours is a very experienced and well equipped office: The complete duplex doppler ultrasound for venous insufficiency is a specialized 45 minute exam performed with the patient standing and it is best done in an experienced and well equipped office. Our office is focused exclusively on vein problems (it is not a mill of arterial studies and 'rule out clot' exams) and we will more reliably give you the best workup and results.

Not difficult to arrange or explore! Your first office visit is an educational discussion of vein disease, vein treatments and your concerns. This is free of charge.

Usually the next step is to schedule an appointment for an ultrasound evaluation of your legs, if indicated. The ultrasound is done in our office and billed to your insurance. With this information Dr. Mountcastle can tell you exactly what your venous problems are and he can tell you which treatments will resolve them. After the ultrasound, Dr. Mountcastle will sit with you, review the results, detail his recommendations and discuss treatments.

Not costly! Most investigation and treatment is paid by insurance and costs less than dental work!

Insurance: Investigation and most treatments are 'medically necessary' and are paid by Medicare or reimbursed by most insurances.

Medicare: We are a full participant in Medicare and it, with a secondary insurance, will pay the full cost of our investigation (ultrasound of veins and screening of arteries) and all treatments except simple cosmetic sclerotherapy of spider veins.

Third Party Insurance: Most third party insurers (United Healthcare, Evercare, BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, etc.) will pay most of your cost for medically necessary treatments. Investigation and most treatments are 'medically necessary' and are paid by Medicare or by most insurances. We work with all PPO plans. We will be your advocate with all insurers and are 'in network' with several.

Self Pay and HMO patients without vein care or 'out of network' benefits: We offer 'Care Credit' - a one year, no interest, payment plan with markedly reduced costs for any expenses you might incur.

Do not let the condition of your legs continue to deteriorate!

This is a progressive disease......arrest it! Treat earlier rather than later!

For appointments in St. Petersburg or Largo
Call 727-865-6941
(Sun City Center, call 813-634-1333)

A patient with the full spectrum of leg vein disease:
The patient at right has the full spectrum of venous valvular insufficiency: he has pain when standing for long periods, his skin burns and itches, he has night cramps/'Charley Horses', his legs always feel tired when standing, and on car trips his ankles swell alarmingly; his leg exhibits corona phlebectasia (purple discoloration of the inner ankle and instep)...an indicator of failed valves in the greater saphenous vein, mild edema/swelling at the ankle, red/brown discoloration of the sickened skin of stasis dermatitis, an early area of ulcer formation, spider (red), reticular (purple) and varicose veins. His well intended but under informed good doctor is providing symptomatic treatment only......some diuretics (water pills), mineral and cramp medications, tylenol and ibuprofen, some steroid cream, compression hose that is very hard to put on and very uncomfortable in the Florida heat and some reassurance. This man needs a simple, gentle and 'definitive' procedure directed at the cause of all these problems he experiences. A painless 45 minute office laser (endovenous laser ablation) procedure to close the malfunctioning greater saphenous vein will dramatically improve his symptoms and signs......he will have younger legs! - legs that look and feel younger.

Palm Harbor
(US-19 & Alderman Road)
Serving the cities of:
Dunedin, Palm Harbor,
New Port Richey, Odessa
34918 US-19 N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684

Largo
(at the HCA Largo Medical Center Campus)
Serving the cities of:
Belleair, Seminole,
Clearwater
168 14th St. S.W.
Largo, FL 33770

Largo
(Brian Dairy)
Serving the cities of:
Seminole, Pinellas Park,
Clearwater
7241 Bryan Dairy Road
Largo, FL 33777

St. Petersburg
(Isla del Sol)
Serving the cities of:
St. Pete Beach, Tierra Verde,
Maximo, Gulfport
5901 Sun Boulevard, Suite #113A
St. Petersburg, FL 33715

Sun City Center
(Upper Creek Drive)
Serving the cities of:
Tampa, Wimauma,
Ruskin, Apollo Beach
4040 Upper Creek Drive, Suite #105
Sun City Center, FL 33573

Call (727) 865-6941 in Pinellas County.

Call (813) 634-1333 in Hillsborough County.

Toll free 888-875-6941

Daniel J. Mountcastle, MD, FAAEM, Director
Board Certified
Ohio State University College of Medicine,
Class of 1974
Specialty Practice for Leg Veins,
Member of American College of Phlebology