At the Vein & Wound Center of LA, we believe the key to successful vein treatment starts with a precise diagnosis. Many large corporate vein clinics rely on standardized treatment algorithms — often applying the same procedure to every patient, regardless of their unique vein patterns. While this may be efficient, it can miss the true source of your disease. And admittedly, if all of the veins are closed, you are guaranteed to fix the bad ones (along with the healthy ones).
That’s why our approach is different.
Identifying the True Source of the Problem
Using advanced ultrasound technology, your leg veins are carefully mapped to find the exact areas of venous reflux, also known as “leak points.” These are places where the valves inside your veins are not working properly, allowing blood to pool and pressure to build up. While this is done in all vein clinics as standard practice, the details are what matter.
The important thing to know is that leaking veins don’t always follow a standard pattern. In fact, many patients develop symptoms or visible varicose and spider veins even when the main saphenous veins appear normal. By taking the time to look for these less obvious leak patterns, we can identify the true cause of your symptoms rather than just treating what’s visible on the surface. Case in point: a small subset of people have accessory vein disease transmitting reflux into their great saphenous veins, which can mimic conditions that warrant standard treatment algorithms. However, you can make people actually feel worse if treatment is done the same way.
Why Our Background Matters
At the Vein & Wound Center of LA, we know that successful treatment begins with the right diagnosis. Dr. Christopher Kim’s surgical training and extensive experience — having treated thousands of vein and wound patients — gives him the expertise to recognize subtle or complex issues that may be overlooked in a one-size-fits-all, “cookie-cutter” approach.
We’ve seen many patients who have visited multiple vein specialists without finding relief. Often, the difference comes down to taking the extra time to perform a thorough ultrasound evaluation and vein mapping to identify the true source of the problem. By pinpointing where your veins are leaking and tailoring treatment to those areas, we can provide solutions that are both effective and long-lasting.
It’s important to understand that vein disease and chronic wounds behave like other long-term medical conditions such as diabetes or heart failure. They require a longitudinal, ongoing approach rather than a quick, one-time fix. While it may not be possible to eliminate all recurrences, our focus is on treating each patient as minimally invasively as possible while delivering lasting relief and better outcomes over time.
Tailored Treatment Plans
Once we’ve identified the specific veins causing your symptoms, we design a custom treatment plan. This may include:
- Endovenous ablation to close leaking trunk veins
- ClariVein® or Varithena® for veins that are twisted or difficult to treat with heat
- Microphlebectomy for bulging surface varicose veins
- Microsclerotherapy for cosmetic spider and reticular veins
- Compression therapy and lifestyle guidance for long-term vein health
The key to vein treatment success is identifying and sealing the exact leak points. Whether with ablation, foam, or sclerotherapy, outcomes depend on treating the right veins, not just the procedure type.
What This Means for You
- A personalized plan, not a one-size-fits-all protocol
- Better long-term results with lower risk of recurrence
- Comprehensive care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up
- Confidence and comfort restored with treatments designed for your specific needs
Frequently Asked Questions: Our Vein Care Method
Q: Why is ultrasound important for vein diagnosis?
A: Ultrasound allows us to see inside your veins and identify exactly where blood is leaking. This ensures we treat the true cause of your symptoms, not just the surface veins.
Q: Don’t all vein clinics use ultrasound?
A: While many clinics perform basic ultrasounds, large corporate groups often follow standardized protocols that may overlook smaller or less typical leak points. At our clinic, Dr. Kim performs a detailed, customized ultrasound mapping for every patient.
Q: What are “leak points” in the veins?
A: Leak points are areas where valves inside your veins aren’t working properly. This allows blood to flow backward (reflux), causing pressure, bulging veins, swelling, or discomfort.
Q: How does your method improve results?
A: By finding and treating the exact veins responsible for your symptoms, we provide more effective relief, reduce recurrence, and improve both comfort and appearance.
Q: Do all visible veins need to be treated?
A: Not necessarily. Some surface veins are only cosmetic, while others are connected to deeper venous disease. That’s why a thorough evaluation is so important before deciding on treatment.
