Oliver K Sr., an 85 year old Caucasian man, came to us with a stasis leg ulcer in his left leg and severe vein disease in both legs. Besides his venous leg ulcer, Oliver also complained of aching, cramping legs, leg swelling (edema), difficulty sleeping, exercise intolerance and difficulty standing on his feet. During our examination, we ruled out intermittent claudication, a condition associated with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in which there is cramping pain in the calf and leg muscles during exercise and relieved by rest. During Oliver’s exam we noted in both legs the presence of varicose veins, edema, skin thickening, a brownish discoloration and a draining leg ulcer in his left leg.

Oliver’s history and physical  suggested strongly that his vein problem was secondary to an underlying condition caused by damaged one-way valves in his deep veins called chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. We performed a highly specific ultrasound examination that confirmed the exact pathology causing Oliver’s vein disease problem. During this painless diagnostic venous ultrasound procedure, we determined that Oliver’s problem was due to incompetence of his left and right subfascial venous perforators and great/small saphenous vein systems. Since his leg ulcer was an immediate concern, our plan involved vein treatment to address that problem first. Through quick, relatively painless surgical procedures using a single needle stick in our state-of-the-art office vein center, Oliver’s leg ulcer was cured. During his minimally invasive vein treatment procedures, he remained awake and comfortable. Following a short recovery, Oliver was very pleased with the results. His venous leg ulcer healed completely and all of his complaints resolved. He is now in treatment for his right leg chronic venous insufficiency.

Oliver K Sr., the patient, had this to say…

Oliver K, the patient, had this to say… “I have been a patient of Dr. Joyce’s for the past 6 months.  I had been experiencing redness and discoloration in both legs and lack of total feeling.  We saw Dr. Joyce’s ad in the local paper and arranged to see him.  After a series of surgeries on the left leg the color has returned to normal and the feeling has also returned.  Dr. Joyce and staff are remarkable medical people.  I have had three procedures and their consideration is superb.  I am starting surgery on the right leg with full confidence that everything will be done in an outstanding manner and the results will be just as successful.” Oliver K, Sr.

Douglas H. Joyce, D.O. & JVAI Aired on Wink TV

This important video segment about severe vein disease was produced by American Health Journal and aired on Wink TV.

At JVAI, we make it our mission to heal your underlying problem with state-of-the-art treatments that are safe, effective, affordable and convenient. State-of-the-art vein treatment at JVAI offers you a Permanent Cure for Venous Disorders that keep you from living the life You love…

How JVAI is different from wound care and other vein treatment centers…

Had Oliver’s treatment involved only care at a wound center for his venous stasis leg ulcer, he might still have his ulcer and continue to suffer from untreated venous disease.

Many patients with venous leg ulcers are referred to wound centers for treatment. Although wound care is an important therapy for leg ulcers, it does nothing to correct the underlying vein disease problem. Patients often undergo treatments in these centers three times per week for many months and may experience many recurrences.

Had Oliver gone to a cosmetic vein treatment center for his other vein symptoms, he would still be suffering from underlying venous disease.

Hopefully with Oliver’s symptoms, physicians in a cosmetic vein clinic would have referred him to a phlebologist or vein specialist. Problems caused by high pressure causing a backward flow of blood toward the legs are not eliminated by cosmetic vein treatment procedures. Patients treated for a cosmetic vein problem will pay the entire amount for their procedures and are very unhappy when in a short amount of time, varicose veins and spider veins appear in other parts of their legs. They continue to suffer from leg cramps, pain and swelling. They are also at risk of developing brownish leathery-looking skin on their legs, venous stasis leg ulcers and cellulitis, a serious infection of the tissue surrounding the open wound.

State-of-the-art vein treatment at JVAI is designed to identify and treat underlying venous disease, when it is present…

Douglas H. Joyce, D.O., JVAI’s founder and owner is a triple board certified vascular surgeon, general surgeon and phlebologist (vein specialist). Through state-of-the-art vascular surgery for venous disease, he has pioneered procedures and developed surgical techniques using a single need stick that raise the bar for vein treatment. Where many vein treatment physicians rely on a hospital procedure requiring general anesthesia with a much longer recovery, patients at JVAI are treated in the office with a quick and relatively painless procedure. Patients remain awake, comfortable and recover in just a few days. An accurate diagnosis using specialized ultrasound technology with a customized exam, allows JVAI to define the exact pathology and procedures for correcting the problem. The diagnosis and treatment of venous disease is generally covered by Medicare and private insurance.

We cured Oliver K Sr. of his stasis leg ulcer and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and we can help you too. Whether you are bothered by the unsightly appearance of your veins or are seeking a proper evaluation and treatment for symptoms of a more serious problem, contact us. Your evaluation and treatment is often covered by insurance and Medicare.

Request a vein treatment appointment that will end your suffering and give you back the quality of life you deserve. 

Do you lie awake at night, tossing and turning from aching leg pain, night cramps or unusual sensations like water flowing down your legs or crawling feelings on your skin? If you’re like millions of Americans who suffer from restless legs, aching leg pain, itchy skin, and/or swelling, your physician’s quick fix with a prescription medication may mask a serious underlying vein disease problem and unnecessarily put you at risk from dangerous medication side effects.

Covering up a potentially serious problem can lead to untreated venous disease that increases your risks for bleeding, blood clots, leg ulcers and a progressive poor quality of life.

End Restless Legs from Venous Disease, Beginning with a Simple Evaluation by a Vein Treatment Specialist

A vein treatment doctor will provide an evaluation that is focused on determining signs and symptoms of venous disease, family history, medical history and previous medical and surgical treatments.

Important medical history:

Without any obvious vein symptoms, patients with complaints of restless legs, itchy skin on the legs and occasional swelling can be significant. The patient’s history may include problems that put them at higher risk for vein diseases. Patients with leg trauma and/or a history of phlebitis and DVT for example, are at higher risk for developing venous disease. Part of the history involves ruling out a condition called intermittent claudication associated with PAD or Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Physical exam:

The history is followed by a physical exam to detect obvious signs of a venous problem: spider and varicose veins, leg swelling, leathery discolored skin and ulceration.

Diagnostic exam:

Following the history and physical exam, a diagnostic venous ultrasound exam is performed for detecting venous pathology in the superficial and deep venous systems. With positive findings, an appropriate vein treatment plan is determined.

How to Choose a Reputable Vein Treatment Physician

Board Certification

Physicians who have achieved board certification in Phlebology have the specialized training and extensive experiences necessary to provide safe and effective venous disease treatment. They devote their entire practice to the treatment of venous disease. Many physicians who provide vein treatment have a background in another field of medicine or surgery.  Vein surgery is not their primary focus but is simply a sideline to their practice.

Differences among Board Certified Vein Specialists

Even among phlebologists, there can be a vast difference in the techniques used for the treatment of vein diseases. Some board certified vein specialists for instance will rely on invasive surgery practices requiring general anesthesia in a surgical center – procedures that take much more time at great expense and may be associated with complications and a long painful recovery. Only a handful of vein specialists will cure your venous problem with a simple needle stick performed in the office with local anesthesia. This affordable vein treatment has a 96% success rate, virtually no complications and offers a very short recovery time.

Douglas H. Joyce, D.O., Triple board certified Vein Specialist Has Defined a New Standard in Vein Treatment

Because of his reputation as a leader with a track record for curing venous disease, patients come from all over North America to be treated by Dr. Douglas Joyce—a vein treatment specialist who has pioneered and clinically proven his own surgical techniques that safely and effectively treat venous disease in the office with the patient awake and comfortable. His state-of-the-art procedures replace standard venous disease treatment methods that require hospitalization and general anesthesia and are associated with more complications and a much longer recovery time.

Through Dr. Joyce’s revolutionary methods, he has successfully achieved a 96% success rate with virtually no complications for such venous problems as varicose veins, venous leg ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency. Recovery time is reduced from weeks after standard treatment to two to three days for most patients.

Make 2012 the year to put your restless legs, itchy legs, swelling and/or other complaints behind you.

Begin with a vein treatment consultation at JVAI state-of-the-art vein center in Punta Gorda, Florida. If your evaluation reveals a vein disease problem, the diagnostic exam and treatment are covered by most insurance plans and Medicare.

In this video, Douglas H. Joyce, D.O, FACOS, triple board certified cardiovascular surgeon and vein specialist in Punta Gorda Florida explains the symptoms and state-of-the-art treatment for severe vein disease provided at JVAI. Through his revolutionary vein surgery performed in the office with the patient awake and comfortable, you will see Dr. Joyce performing vein treatment with a 99% cure rate for serious venous leg ulcers that failed to heal after many years of treatment by other physicians. One of the patients describes his experience that gave him back a quality of life he did not think was possible. Watch the video and share it with anyone you know who suffers from vein disease.

When Helen R came to us for removing her unsightly spider veins, it was apparent during her history and physical that she also had symptoms of venous disease – prominent, painful, bulging varicose veins and complaints of leg cramping, leg pain and problems with prolonged standing and walking as well as sleeping. An ultrasound confirmed incompetence in her venous perforator and saphenous vein systems. Her spider vein treatment was accomplished through a combination of laser and foam sclerotherapy along with procedures to correct her varicose veins and venous disease. All vascular surgery vein treatment was performed in the office while Helen remained awake and comfortable. Following a short recovery, she was delighted with her complete elimination of spider veins, varicose veins, venous disease and associated symptoms.

Helen R, the patient, had this to say…

I first came to the Joyce Vein & Aesthetic Institute to inquire about removing ugly spider veins and found out to completely remove them I had to treat the perforator and varicose veins.  I was very impressed to find out that here in Punta Gorda we had Dr. Joyce who pioneered this procedure and teaches internationally. The procedures were not painful and I could walk right away and had no pain in the following days.  I had three different sessions on each leg and what a difference in the appearance…I can wear shorts again!”  Helen R.

Douglas H. Joyce, D.O. & JVAI Featured on FOX4 HealthNow for Vein Treatment

State-of-the-art vein treatment at JVAI offers you a Permanent Cure for Venous Disorders that keep you from living the life You love…

We know how painful, unsightly venous disorders from spider veins, varicose veins to leg ulcers and other serious venous disease can compromise the quality of your life. At JVAI, we make it our mission to heal your underlying problem with state-of-the-art treatments that are safe, effective, affordable and convenient.

How JVAI is different from cosmetic vein treatment centers…

Cosmetic vein treatment centers not operated and staffed by Board Certified Phlebologists (venous disease experts) are not equipped or capable of diagnosing or treating underlying venous pathology.

The first and most important step when seeking spider vein and varicose vein treatment is to understand the cause of the condition. It is not uncommon for podiatrists, dermatologists, internists and other practitioners to take a weekend training on cosmetic treatment for spider and varicose veins and add vein treatment to their list of services. Problems caused by high pressure causing a backward flow of blood toward the legs are not eliminated by cosmetic vein treatment procedures.

Had Helen gone to a cosmetic vein treatment center, she would still be suffering from underlying venous disease.

She would have paid the entire amount out of her pocket and would be very unhappy when in a short amount of time, spider veins and varicose veins appeared in other parts of her legs. Helen would still be suffering from leg cramps and pain and would likely develop more progressive symptoms from her untreated venous disease problem.

Cosmetic spider vein treatment at JVAI vein treatment center is designed to identify and treat underlying venous disease, when it is present…

At JVAI, many patients come to us for cosmetic treatment of their spider veins and varicose veins. When it is determined that there is no underlying venous disease, we provide cosmetic spider and varicose vein treatments alone through laser, sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy procedures. Douglas H. Joyce, D.O., JVAI’s founder and owner is a triple board certified vascular surgeon, general surgeon and phlebologist (vein specialist). Through state-of-the-art vascular surgery for venous disease, he has pioneered procedures and developed surgical techniques that raise the bar for vein treatment – taking it from a hospital procedure requiring general anesthesia with a much longer recovery to a quick and painless office procedure with the patient awake and recovering in just a few days. An accurate diagnosis using specialized ultrasound technology that we customized, allows us to define the exact pathology and procedures for correcting the problem. Our diagnosis and treatment of venous disease is generally covered by Medicare and private insurance.

We cured Helen of her spider veins, varicose veins and venous disease problem and we can help you too. Whether you are bothered by the unsightly appearance of your veins or are seeking a proper evaluation and treatment for symptoms of a more serious problem, contact us. Your evaluation and treatment is often covered by insurance and Medicare.

Request a varicose vein treatment appointment that will end your suffering and give you back the quality of life you deserve.

When Nancy A., a 57 year old woman, came to us with prominent, painful, bulging varicose veins in both legs, we suspected that she had serious underlying venous disease. Besides her varicose veins with spontaneous bleeding from a vein in her right leg, Nancy’s symptoms included spider veins, leg swelling, lower extremity skin thickening, and complaints of leg cramping, pain and problems with prolonged standing and walking as well as sleeping. An ultrasound confirmed incompetence in her venous perforator and saphenous vein systems. Her varicose vein treatment corrected these problems during office procedures in which she was awake and comfortable. Nancy readily recovered with a complete elimination of her spider veins, varicose veins, venous disease and associated symptoms.

How Venous Disease Begins

Two systems of veins in the legs, the surface or superficial veins and the deep veins, allow for the proper movement of blood back to the heart. The superficial veins lie just under the skin. The deep veins lie within the large muscles of the leg. The two vein systems are connected by short veins called perforator veins. All of the veins have valves to maintain one way flow. When you walk or exercise, your calf muscles squeeze large deep veins and pump blood out of your legs towards your heart.

With proper function of the valves, the venous system of your legs is designed to overcome the effects of gravity and pump blood out of your legs towards your heart where it picks up a fresh supply of oxygen. When valves in the superficial and deep veins become incompetent, gravity reverses the flow of blood back towards the feet. Ultimately, this produces an increased blood pressure in the surface veins of the leg. Incompetent veins in the superficial and deep veins can produce spider veins, varicose veins, leg swelling, leg ulcers and serious infection.

Signs of Venous Disease

One of the first signs of venous disease and the need for vein treatment is distention of the delicate superficial skin veins or spider veins. With progression of the disease, there is dilation of the larger veins resulting in varicose veins. Pressure from distended larger veins on nerves results in aching pain and night cramps. Often patients report unusual sensations described as “water flowing down the legs” or “crawling feelings on the skin.” Swelling or edema occurs from a leakage of water into tissues from the dilated veins. Blood may also leak out as the pressure increases. This produces a brownish skin discoloration. The disease compromises the normal exchange of nutrients and wastes at the level of the capillary beds. This causes a thickening of the skin and/or death of tissue resulting in a venous leg ulcer. Another serious consequence of this type of venous disease is infection of the skin or cellulitis.

Sometimes venous disease begins with a traumatic leg injury or a spider bite that is resistant to healing in patients as young as their teens. Patients may attribute their tired, aching legs, exercise intolerance and other symptoms to an injury or just to getting older. The result is often years of misdiagnosis and mismanagement with one treatment failure after another. Regardless of when or how our patients find their way to JVAI, their experiences are overwhelmingly positive. You can read about them on our website in page after page of vein treatment testimonials that document our results and the impact on patients’ lives.

Nancy, Our Patient Had This to Say:

“When I came to the Vein Institute, I had bulging, bleeding veins and my legs always had cramps and swollen ankles.  I was very self-conscious about how my legs looked and avoided many activities.  Now that my treatments are completed, my legs look and feel so much better.  I can enjoy many physical activities, which I had given up!  I feel like I got my legs back, and more important, my life back too!  Thank you Dr. Joyce and your wonderful staff!” –Nancy A.

Many patients do not realize that varicose veins like Nancy’s are almost always due to untreated venous disease. Varicose vein treatment and procedures that treat and CURE spider veins, leg ulcers, and chronic venous insufficiency are performed at JVAI in an office procedure with minimal discomfort and recovery time.

We cured Nancy of her venous disease problem and we can help you. If you have bulging varicose veins or other symptoms of venous disease, contact us for an evaluation that is often covered by insurance and Medicare.

Request a varicose vein treatment appointment that will end your suffering and give you back the quality of life you deserve.

Feeling Fit Expo
Saturday October 8, 2011, 9am to 3pm
Cultural Center of Charlotte County
2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte.

Come for a FREE Lecture and Lots of FREEBIES for your Health and Beauty from JVAI in Punta Gorda, Florida

Feeling Fit will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Cultural Center to support their mission of enhancing the well-being of Charlotte County and beyond.

• FREE Lecture on Venous Disease by Vein Specialist and Surgeon Douglas H. Joyce, D.O. at 2 p.m. (Dr. Joyce and JVAI were voted Best Vein Specialist by the Charlotte Sun Reader’s Choice from 2007 through 2010)!
• FREE Venous Screening
• FREE VISIA Complexion Analysis
• FREE Hydra Dermabrasion

For more information, call JVAI at 1 (866) 998-1312