VEINS
ST. PETERSBURG, LARGO,
ISLA DEL SOL, PALM HARBOR,
& SUN CITY CENTER
SEE OUR
LEARNING VIDEOS
CONTACT OUR OFFICES
HOW TO GET HERE
BLUE FEET
CORONA PHLEBECTASIA
MYTHS
DANGERS OF DOING NOTHING ABOUT YOUR VEINS!
PRESENTATION: VEINS
VALVES: THE CAUSE OF LEG VEIN PROBLEMS
VEINS ST. PETERSBURG
INVESTIGATIONS
TREATMENTS
ACHING, TIRED, HEAVY LEGS
NOCTURNAL CRAMPING
NIGHT CRAMPS & 'CHARLEY HORSES'
SWOLLEN ANKLES
VARICOSE VEINS
SPIDER VEINS
"SECONDARY"
RESTLESS LEG SYMPTOMS
SKIN CHANGES OF
VENOUS DISEASE
FEAR & IGNORANCE
LINKS TO INFORMATION & SPANISH SITE
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| Younger Legs! We help you
have Younger Legs! Legs that look and feel younger!
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Before
38 y/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 procedure, 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.
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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 detection 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 ankles,
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.
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 | 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
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
has been 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
pregnancy, occupations requiring prolonged standing, injuries, clots, and some
extreme sports can damage vein valves.....one way 'check' valves with delicate
leaflets. Failed, 'incompetent', vein valves can no longer support the weight
of the column of blood from above. 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 - unsightly and prone to clots, i.e. phlebitis, on the surface of
the legs and are a cause of aching, tired legs).
This pressure also causes the delicate capillaries inside the leg
below failed valves to leak fluid, protein, and blood cells causing
swollen ankles, night cramps, restless symptoms, skin color changes, burning,
itching, dermatitis, and ulceration often experienced by patients with leg vein
problems.
Not difficult to investigate!
The
investigation is simply a properly performed 60 minute "standing" office ultra-sound
performed by a certified and very experienced ultrasonographer
who is equipped with the latest technology to standardize
and carefully evaluate all the veins in your legs.
Not difficult to treat!
The 'state of the art'
treatments are performed by our specialty trained MD's 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 one hour
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 are paid by most insurances and Medicare.
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 cause: 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. We take the time to sit down and discuss
your concerns in detail.
We are a "specialty clinic"! 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 be '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 60 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 we can tell you exactly what your
venous problems are and which treatments will resolve them.
After the ultrasound, your Doctor will sit down and 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, Palm Harbor 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 are
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 60
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.
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HOME | LEARNING VIDEOS
|
CONTACT OUR OFFICES |
BLUE FEET - CORONA PHLEBECTASIA |
MYTHS | DANGERS OF
DOING NOTHING ABOUT YOUR VEINS! |
PRESENTATION: VEINS |
VALVES: THE CAUSE OF LEG VEIN PROBLEMS |
VEINS - ST. PETERSBURG INVESTIGATIONS
|
TREATMENTS |
ACHING, TIRED, HEAVY LEGS |
NOCTURNAL CRAMPING, NIGHT CRAMPS & 'CHARLEY
HORSES' |
SWOLLEN ANKLES |
VARICOSE VEINS |
SPIDER VEINS |
"SECONDARY" RESTLESS LEG SYMPTOMS
|
SKIN CHANGES OF VENOUS DISEASE |
FEAR & IGNORANCE |
LINKS
Mountcastle Vein Centers
Palm Harbor
(At the Fountains at Alderman and Rt. 19, N.)
Serving
the cities of:
Dunedin, Palm Harbor,
Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs,
New Port Richey, Bayonet Point,
Citrus Park, Odessa
34760 US-19 North
Palm Harbor, FL 34684 |
|
Largo
(Next to the hospital, Largo Medical Center)
Serving
the cities of:
Belleair, Seminole,
Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach,
Belleair Beach, Clearwater,
Feathersound
168 14th St. S.W. Suite C
Largo, FL 33770 |
St. Petersburg
(Isla del Sol Shoppers' Village, Pinellas Bayway)
Serving the cities of:
St. Pete Beach, Tierra Verde,
Pinellas Park, Kenneth City,
Treasure Island, Madeira Beach,
Maximo, Gulfport
5901 Sun Boulevard, Suite #113A
St. Petersburg, FL 33715 |
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Sun City
Center
(Next to South Bay Hospital)
Serving the cities of:
Tampa, Wimauma,
Riverview, Bradenton,
Sarasota, Palmetto
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 888-865-6941
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Dan Mountcastle, MD
Board Certified
Ohio State University
Chief Medical Officer and Founder
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Kim Truett, BS
Certified Vascular Technologist
Oregon Institute of Technology
Chief of Vascular Technology
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Naushin Jobe, MD
Board Certified
Chicago Medical School
Medical Director
St. Petersburg and Sun City Center
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Jack Lipps, MD
Board Certified
University of Louisville
Medical Director
Largo and Palm Harbor
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