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Understanding Knee Embolization: A Minimally Invasive Solution for Osteoarthritis Pain

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What is Knee Embolization?

Knee embolization is a procedure to help reduce blood flow to the lining of the knee. During the procedure, there is a natural formation of a blood clot, air bubble, a piece of fatty deposit, or other objects in the bloodstream to obstruct the artery. This procedure is also called Geniculate artery embolization (GAE).

To see if GAE is right for you, contact Western Vascular Institute today. GAE offers an excellent minimally invasive alternative to knee surgery, and the skilled surgeons at Western Vascular Institute bring extensive experience and expertise to this advanced procedure. Give us a call at (480) 668-5000 today to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

What is the Purpose of a Knee Embolization?

This minimally-invasive procedure can help by providing immediate and long term pain relief for patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

How Does it Work?

GAE blocks the blood flow in the areas around the knee that are inflamed.  By blocking these arteries, there is a reduction in the amount of inflammation. This can help or eliminate the associated knee pain without surgery.

This procedure does not treat the underlying disease, but it is an effective way to manage the symptoms.

How is the Knee Embolization Performed?

After a consultation with a GAE to review your goals and medical history, you will be seen for the knee embolization procedure.

  • It is performed through a small puncture in the groin or upper thigh.
  • A thin hollow tube or catheter is positioned in the arteries around the knee.
  • Tiny particles can be injected that block the capillaries around the lining of the knee, a technique called embolization.
  • The procedure generally takes between 45 and 90 minutes.
  • You are able to go home the same day.

Am I a Candidate for Knee Embolization?

If you are considering this procedure, give us a call. We can discuss your health and desired outcomes to see if this is the right fit for you.

Typically, ideal candidates for knee embolization include those who:

  • Have moderate to severe knee pain
  • Are between ages 40-80
  • Have tenderness in the knee area
  • Have failed other conservative treatment options
  • Have confirmed osteoarthritis based on x-ray
  • Do not have bony deformity or sclerosis
  • Would rather be an ideal candidate for knee replacement surgery

Schedule a Knee Embolization Consultation Today

If you’d like a consultation, we would love to discuss your options. This is a procedure that can change your life and give you the pain relief you deserve. Give us a call at (480) 668-5000 today to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form. We have clinics in Mesa, Payson, and Florence.

Sources
https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/radiology/interventional-radiology/treatments-procedures/genicular-artery-embolization-gae

How Do I Stop Spider Veins on My Legs From Getting Worse?

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Those little blue and purple feathery veins on your legs seem to be spreading. You have no idea what you could have done, but they’re not going away. When you look online, you find out they are called spider veins. Not as unsightly as varicose veins, but unsightly nevertheless. How do I stop spider veins on my legs from getting worse?

Are Spider Veins Harmful?

Spider veins are not harmful by themselves. They are broken blood vessels that show on the skin. They are a cosmetic issue, quite common, and affect about 50% of the female population.

Note though that they can be an early sign of chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, meaning a vein disease that can affect your quality of life.

If you spot spider veins, make an appointment with Western Vascular Institute in Arizona for an exam and to determine if you have risk factors for CVI.

How to Stop Spider Veins From Getting Worse

There are a number of easy ways you can prevent them from getting worse.

Stay Active

In short, don’t be a couch potato. Get up and move around with some moderate exercise. Do it consistently several times a week. Even walking can help.

Shed Off Some Pounds

If you are overweight, try to lose some weight. Carrying around extra pounds contributes to vein circulation problems.

You will lessen stress on your legs, and prevent other heart diseases, stroke and type 2 Diabetes.

Wear Compression Socks

This will help improve blood flow in your legs.

Elevate Your Legs

Try to elevate your legs each day above your heart to reduce swelling and help to prevent more spider veins from forming.

Wear Sunscreen

This may seem strange, but the sun can cause broken blood vessels. So wearing sunscreen can prevent spider veins from developing on your face.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is a large risk factor for developing spider veins, as it affects blood circulation, blood vessel walls, and inflammation.

Standing Too Long

Just as you don’t want to sit for long periods of time, neither should you stand too long. Some jobs require you to be on your feet all day, so try to find ways to take breaks, sit on a stool, or get off your feet whenever possible.

Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing

This can interfere with normal blood circulation leading to spider veins.

If you are unhappy with spider veins in obvious places, there are treatments to remove them.

Contact Western Vascular Institute if you want an evaluation and options for removing spider veins. Give us a call at (480) 668-5000 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: Spider Veins: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)

Are Varicose Veins Permanent?: Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute: Cardiovascular Doctors (veinheartandvascular.com)

Are Varicose Veins a Warning Sign of Dangerous Blood Clots?

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Those unsightly twisted veins on legs are for sure a cosmetic issue. That’s why so many people wear long pants even during the dog days of summer. Yes, they are unsightly, but we don’t usually think of them as a serious health issue. Maybe it’s time to think again. Are varicose veins a warning sign of dangerous blood clots?

Superficial vs Serious Varicose Veins

Nearly 25% of adults have varicose veins mostly in their legs. Most varicose veins affect the superficial veins in the legs. If you have them you probably experience aches and pains, some swelling, and discoloration. Sometimes, you can even develop a clot.

Since most varicose veins are in superficial (close to the surface) veins, any blood clots form there as well.

Superficial Venous Thrombosis (SVT)

If a blood clot develops, the skin looks red and swollen and there is pain. This is known as superficial venous thrombosis. It is rare.

With superficial venous thrombosis, any minor injury to a varicose vein can cause inflammation. This inflammation leads to a slow down in blood flow and a clot can form. Luckily, superficial veins are not surrounded by muscle, and unless there is a “muscle pump,” the clot usually remains in place.

It may be painful, but it normally dissipates and goes away in a few days. Warm compresses and aspirin help to alleviate the problem.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot in a deeper vein is a more serious issue. Although similar to superficial thrombophlebitis, this clot forms in a deeper and larger vein. Those bigger veins hold more blood and connect to other parts of the body. The muscles there can squeeze the blood clot out of the leg and allow it to move it to a more dangerous area.

If this blood clot makes it into the lungs, it known as a pulmonary embolism—a serious life-threatening situation. Immediate medical treatment is needed!

Deep calf or thigh pain plus leg swelling are signs of a DVT or a serious blood clot in the leg.

If you have varicose veins, it would be wise to see Western Vascular Institute for an assessment and whether you may have varicose veins in deeper veins.

Some Final Thoughts

Research has shown that although having varicose veins does not cause a blood clot, you are more likely to develop DVT if you have varicose veins.

More people die from a pulmonary embolism than from breast cancer, AIDS, and car accidents combined.

Contact Western Vascular Institute at (480) 668-5000 for an assessment in the Phoenix area if you have varicose veins and are having painful symptoms. You can alternatively request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: Do Varicose Veins Cause Blood Clots? (theveininstituteofhunterdon.com)

Varicose Veins and Blood Clots: What You Need to Know | The Iowa Clinic

10 Signs of Carotid Artery Blockage

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You have two carotid arteries on each side of your neck. They supply blood to your brain and your eyes. If there is any kind of blockage and blood flow is reduced, this is a serious condition which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Signs can be hard to spot, so pay attention to these 10 signs of carotid artery blockage.

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease happens when fatty deposits or plaque begin to clog these essential arteries. Any clog increases the possibility of a stroke. As this continues, narrowing of the artery progresses, limiting the amount of oxygenated blood reaching the brain cells. This disease progresses very slowly making obvious signs difficult to diagnose.

First Obvious Sign of Carotid Artery Blockage

Unfortunately the first sign that your carotid arteries are blocked is a mini-stroke, known medically as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). It is a temporary shortage of blood flow to the brain, and although it typically lasts only a short time, the patient is then at a high risk for another more serious type of stroke. Sometimes patients can have a series of mini-strokes.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the US. Once you have suffered a mini-stroke, it is time to pay particular attention to other kinds of signs.

Less Obvious Preliminary Signs

There are many other signs of carotid artery disease which we will list, but note that they can be caused by many other medical issues.

They include:

  • Unexplained fatigue
  • Bulging veins in the neck
  • Increased heart rate
  • Numbness
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling light headed
  • Poor balance and lack of coordination
  • Tinnitus
  • Blurred vision

If you have some combination of these signs or symptoms, a specialist will listen to your carotid arteries looking for an abnormal sound called a bruit. It will sound like turbulent blood flow and may signify a problem.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Your age, especially older men, a family history, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, trauma to the neck, and smoking all put you at a higher risk for developing carotid artery disease and having a stroke.

If blood flow is disrupted for more than 3 to 6 hours from a stroke, the damage is usually permanent.

Don’t hesitate if you or someone you know has symptoms of a stroke—loss of or blurred vision, weakness on one side of the body, difficulty walking, trouble speaking, confusion, and severe headache. Immediately seek professional care at an emergency room.

Contact Western Vascular Institute for an evaluation in the Phoenix area if you are concerned about carotid artery blockage. Give us a call at (480) 668-5000 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: Carotid artery disease – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

15 Early Signs Showing if Carotid Artery Is Blocked (simplyhealth.io)

Carotid Artery Disease Symptoms | Northwestern Medicine

What Is Carotid Artery Disease? – American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org)

Carotid Artery Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment (webmd.com)

Unveiling the Hidden Risks of Varicose Veins

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The featured content from Western Vascular Institute, as seen on KTAR News, sheds light on the significant health implications of varicose veins beyond mere cosmetic concerns. Dr. Mitar Vranic, Vascular Surgeon and CEO of Western Vascular Institute, underscores the multifaceted problems associated with varicose veins, including pain, blood clots, and skin ulcers.

Understanding the physiological role of veins in facilitating blood flow, the content explains how weakened or damaged valves can lead to venous insufficiency, causing blood to pool in the veins and resulting in the characteristic bulging appearance of varicose veins.

Various risk factors predispose individuals to varicose veins, such as pregnancy, menopause, age over 50, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Recognizing symptoms like leg pain, itching, swelling, and skin discoloration is crucial, especially as symptoms worsen in hot weather.

The content emphasizes preventive measures, including weight loss, leg elevation, avoidance of prolonged sitting or standing, and wearing compression stockings. Additionally, it outlines treatment options, ranging from minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy and RF ablation to surgical interventions like phlebectomy, all aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving vascular health.

Western Vascular Institute, with its team of Vascular Specialists, offers comprehensive support from diagnosis to treatment selection, ensuring personalized care for individuals experiencing varicose vein symptoms or other vascular issues. Readers are encouraged to seek expert guidance and make appointments for further evaluation and treatment at Western Vascular Institute.

Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis: Expert Insights from Western Vascular Institute

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Western Vascular Institute was featured on KTAR News highlighting the importance of movement to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious medical condition where blood clots form in deep veins, often in the legs. Dr. Henry Tarlian, a Vascular Surgeon at Western Vascular Institute, emphasizes the life-threatening nature of DVT and the necessity of medication to dissolve clots and prevent their migration to the lungs.

Various factors contribute to the risk of DVT, including lifestyle choices like smoking, obesity, sedentary jobs, leg crossing, and extended periods of immobility. Additionally, hormonal changes from pregnancy or birth control pills, advancing age, and genetic predisposition also increase susceptibility to DVT.

Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, redness, or tenderness in the leg or arm, although half of those affected may not display symptoms. Furthermore, if a clot reaches the lungs, it can lead to a pulmonary embolism, presenting symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood.

Western Vascular Institute offers information and appointments for individuals concerned about DVT, underscoring the importance of seeking professional guidance for this potentially life-threatening condition.

How to Know It’s Deep Vein Thrombosis

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Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein usually in the leg or thigh. It is essential to recognize the signs of DVT since the clot can break away and become lodged in the lungs. What may follow is PE, or a Pulmonary Embolism, which can be life-threatening.

Here are a few of the risk factors for DVT and how to know it’s Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Continue reading “How to Know It’s Deep Vein Thrombosis” →

Is My Leg Pain Caused By Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?

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If you have unexplainable leg pain, especially after walking or exercising, it could be due to peripheral artery disease, or PAD. This condition is often under-diagnosed and untreated, which is a serious problem due to the danger that it can pose to your health and well-being.

What is PAD?

Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of the peripheral arteries, which are responsible for bringing blood away from the heart and to other areas of the body. While it most commonly affectsperipheral artery disease. the legs and feet, it can also be found in other parts of the body, including upper extremities.

PAD occurs when arteries begin to narrow or become blocked when plaque, which consists of cholesterol, calcium, and fibrous tissue, builds on the walls of the artery. This can cause pain in legs while walking and exercising.

In severe cases, a blood clot can form and completely stop blood flow, which can result in a stroke or heart attack.

Risks & Symptoms of PAD

Many people who have PAD may not have symptoms, or they may mistake their symptoms for another condition. Most commonly observed symptoms of PAD include:

  • Leg pain during exercise, and also at rest
  • Leg numbness or weakness
  • Wounds of the legs, foot, or toes that do not heal easily
  • Decreased temperature of the leg or foot
  • Slow nail growth on toes or hair growth on the leg
  • Some men experience erectile dysfunction

Patients are more at risk for peripheral artery disease when they:

  • Smoke cigarettes
  • Have type 2 diabetes
  • Are obese
  • Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Are over 50 years of age
  • Have a family history of heart issues or strokes

PAD Treatment Options

There are lifestyle changes individuals with PAD can take to reduce the progression and relieve symptoms. These include: quitting smoking, regular physical activity, consuming a diet low in saturated and trans fat, and taking steps to manage your diabetes.

You may have a medication prescribed to you to help reduce your risk for PAD or worsening the condition.

When lifestyle changes or medications are not suitable, minimally invasive procedures are typically the next option. Western Vascular Institute provides revascularization procedures as an effective PAD treatment option. Balloon angioplasty and stent placement opens the narrowed/blocked artery and a stent is placed to keep the artery open.

Western Vascular Institute works with each patient to provide a thorough diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

Contact Western Vascular Institute at (480) 668-5000 to schedule your peripheral artery disease consultation today.

Carotid Artery Disease: How to Lower Your Risk of Stroke

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Are you aware that a stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in adults in the United States? More specifically, one third of all strokes are due to carotid artery disease. Your two carotid arteries are located on either side of your neck, and their main purpose is to deliver blood and oxygen to your brain. A stroke occurs when blood is interrupted or something slows down the flow of blood. Let’s understand more about carotid artery disease and how to lower your risk of stroke.

Continue reading “Carotid Artery Disease: How to Lower Your Risk of Stroke” →