Varicose Veins and Spider Veins in Grand Rapids, MI

Varicose veins and spider veins are common circulation problems that many people in Grand Rapids, MI experience, especially as they get older or spend long hours standing at work. While they are often seen as a cosmetic concern, they can also lead to real medical issues if left untreated.

This guide explains what varicose and spider veins are, why they occur, treatment options available in West Michigan, and when to seek care from a Grand Rapids vein specialist.

How Leg Veins Work

Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. In the legs, blood is collected in:

  • Superficial veins – just under the skin
  • Deep veins – located deeper in the muscles

The calf muscles act as a “pump,” squeezing the veins and pushing blood upward toward the heart. One-way valves inside the veins prevent blood from flowing backward toward the feet.

When these valves weaken or fail, blood can pool in the superficial veins. Over time, these veins stretch and become varicose.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are:

  • Enlarged, bulging, or rope-like veins
  • Often dark blue or purple
  • Commonly seen on the legs and feet
  • More noticeable after standing or sitting for long periods

People in Grand Rapids who work on their feet (healthcare workers, teachers, manufacturing workers, retail employees) or sit for long hours (office workers, drivers) are especially prone to varicose veins.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins may cause:

  • Aching, throbbing, or heaviness in the legs
  • Burning or cramping in the calves
  • Swelling in the ankles or feet
  • Itching or dry skin around the veins
  • Skin color changes, such as brownish “stains”
  • Restless legs, especially at night

Symptoms often worsen:

  • After long periods of standing or sitting
  • During hot, humid Michigan summers
  • At the end of the day

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are smaller, damaged veins that appear closer to the surface of the skin. They:

  • Are usually red, blue, or purple
  • Can look like spider webs or tree branches
  • Commonly appear on the legs and face
  • May cover a small or large area

Spider veins are usually painless but can be a cosmetic concern. They may also signal underlying vein disease, especially if you also have leg discomfort or swelling.

Are Varicose and Spider Veins Dangerous?

Varicose veins and spider veins are not always just cosmetic. In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, untreated varicose vein disease can lead to:

  • Bleeding from veins close to the skin
  • Superficial blood clots (superficial thrombophlebitis)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – clots in deeper veins
  • Venous eczema – itchy, inflamed skin
  • Skin breakdown and venous ulcers (non-healing sores)
  • Rarely, chronic skin changes that can increase skin cancer risk in long-standing ulcers

If you notice sudden swelling, severe pain, warmth, or redness in one leg, or shortness of breath or chest pain, seek emergency care immediately at a local Grand Rapids hospital such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

What Causes Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?

The exact cause is not fully understood, but several factors increase your risk.

Family History

Varicose veins and spider veins often run in families. If a parent or grandparent in your family (here in West Michigan or elsewhere) had vein problems, your risk is higher.

Hormones and Gender

Women are more likely than men to develop varicose and spider veins. Hormonal changes that may play a role include:

  • Puberty
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Menopause
  • Use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

These hormones can relax vein walls and affect the valves.

Other Risk Factors

Common risk factors for Grand Rapids residents include:

  • Standing or sitting for long periods (factory work, retail, teaching, nursing, office work)
  • Being immobile for long periods (bed rest, long car or plane trips)
  • Lack of regular exercise
  • Obesity or overweight
  • Smoking
  • Older age
  • Previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots

Cold Michigan winters can also reduce physical activity and worsen circulation issues, which may aggravate symptoms in people with existing vein disease.

Symptoms to Watch For

In addition to visible veins, pay attention to:

  • Pain, aching, or heaviness in the legs
  • Itching or burning around the veins
  • Dry, irritated skin near the ankles
  • Swelling in the lower legs, especially after standing
  • Night cramps or restless legs
  • Skin darkening (brown or purple discoloration)
  • Non-healing sores near the ankles (venous ulcers)

If you have these symptoms, consider visiting your primary care provider, a vascular specialist, or a vein clinic in Grand Rapids.

Preventing Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

You may not be able to prevent them completely, especially if they run in your family, but you can reduce your risk and ease symptoms.

Lifestyle Tips for Grand Rapids Residents

  • Stay active year-round

    • Walk regularly, even in winter (use indoor tracks, treadmills, or mall walking)
    • Try low-impact exercise like swimming at local community centers or the YMCA

  • Maintain a healthy weight

    • Extra weight puts more pressure on leg veins

  • Avoid long periods of sitting or standing

    • Take walking breaks at work
    • Flex and stretch your calves if you stand a lot (common in manufacturing and healthcare jobs)

  • Wear support or compression stockings

    • Especially if you stand all day or have a family history of vein disease
    • Available at local pharmacies and medical supply stores in Grand Rapids

  • Avoid high heels for long periods

    • Flat or low-heeled shoes help your calf muscles pump blood more effectively

  • Quit smoking

    • Smoking damages blood vessels and worsens circulation

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources can provide guidance on weight management, smoking cessation, and general cardiovascular health.

Treatment Options for Varicose Veins and Spider Veins in Grand Rapids

Treatment is available at many local facilities, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and private vein clinics throughout West Michigan.

1. Compression Therapy

A compression stocking worn on the leg:

  • Supports the veins
  • Improves blood flow
  • Reduces swelling and discomfort
  • Helps prevent complications

Compression is also essential after many vein procedures.

Sclerotherapy for Varicose and Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy is a common, minimally invasive treatment used for:

  • Spider veins
  • Small to medium varicose veins
  • Veins that haven’t responded to standard injections
  • Some leg ulcers related to vein disease

How Sclerotherapy Works

  1. An irritant solution (sclerosant) is injected into the affected vein using a very fine needle.
  2. The solution irritates the vein lining, causing it to spasm and collapse.
  3. The walls of the collapsed vein stick together and seal shut.
  4. Over time, the body absorbs the closed vein, and it fades from view.

Leg veins may take 2–6 months to fully clear, depending on their size.

Compression After Sclerotherapy

Wearing a compression stocking after treatment helps veins seal and heal properly:

  • Small veins: usually 3–6 days of compression
  • Larger veins: often about 6 weeks of compression

This reduces bruising, swelling, and the risk of clots.

What to Expect During the Procedure

  • The doctor marks the injection sites while you are standing.
  • You lie down for the injections.
  • A fine needle is used – most people feel only a mild pinprick.
  • Some people feel a brief burning sensation, which usually disappears within seconds.
  • Multiple veins can be treated in a single session.
  • Each vein may need several sessions a few weeks apart.
  • Compression bandages and stockings are applied immediately afterward.
  • You are encouraged to walk for about 30 minutes right after the procedure.

Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy (Echosclerotherapy)

If the problem vein is not visible on the surface, your provider may use ultrasound guidance:

  • An ultrasound machine helps the doctor see both normal and abnormal veins under the skin.
  • The needle is guided precisely into the target vein.
  • This is especially useful for deeper or more complex varicose veins and for people with complications like pigmentation or eczema.

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is available at many vascular and vein centers in Grand Rapids.

After Sclerotherapy: Recovery and Self-Care

To promote healing and reduce complications:

  • Walk regularly – this improves circulation and reduces clot risk.
  • Wear your compression stockings as directed.
  • Avoid long periods of standing or sitting.
  • Maintain regular exercise and weight control.
  • Avoid hot baths, saunas, and direct sun exposure on treated areas for a period recommended by your provider.

Possible Side Effects and Complications of Sclerotherapy

Most side effects are mild and temporary, but it’s important to be aware of them.

Common, Usually Mild Effects

  • Bruising – at the injection site; usually fades in a few weeks

  • Brown lines or spots – caused by blood leaking into the skin

    • Usually fade over time
    • In fewer than 5% of people, discoloration can last a year or longer
    • Avoid iron supplements during treatment, as iron in red blood cells contributes to staining

  • Lumps (“trapped blood”) in larger veins

    • Not dangerous
    • May be drained later or clear on their own

  • Swelling – especially if large veins were treated

    • Wearing compression stockings helps prevent this

  • Matting – a fine network of new tiny blood vessels near the treated area

    • Can be related to inadequate compression, hormonal supplements, vitamin E, or incomplete treatment of underlying veins
    • May resolve on its own over a year or more
    • Sometimes treated with special injection techniques or laser therapy

Less Common but More Serious Complications

  • Ulcers (sores) at the injection site

    • Can appear immediately or after a few days
    • Rare but may be painful and can scar

  • Inflammation (phlebitis) and blood clots

    • Can affect treated large veins
    • If the inflammation spreads to deep veins, it can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

  • DVT and pulmonary embolism

    • DVT is a rare but serious complication
    • A clot can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which can be life-threatening

  • Accidental injection into an artery

    • Extremely rare but can cause tissue damage

Your risk of clots may be higher if:

  • No compression is used or compression is inadequate
  • You are on birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
  • You have an underlying tendency to clotting
  • Treatment is done soon after long-distance travel or major surgery
  • The main leaking vein has not been adequately treated

Allergic reactions to sclerosants are very rare, but your provider will review your history before treatment.

Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Larger, more severe varicose veins—especially major surface veins like the long or short saphenous veins—are often treated surgically. These procedures are offered at major Grand Rapids hospitals and vascular surgery centers.

Before Varicose Vein Surgery

Your surgeon will:

  • Perform a physical exam
  • Order an ultrasound scan to map your veins
  • Review your medical history, including:
    • All medications (including over-the-counter and supplements)
    • Any previous reactions to anesthesia or medications
    • Any history of blood clots

Varicose vein surgery is usually not recommended during pregnancy.

Common Surgical Techniques

  1. Ligation and Stripping

    • The surgeon makes small incisions (for example, in the groin or behind the knee).
    • The vein is tied off (ligation).
    • A slender instrument is inserted into the vein, and the vein is pulled out through a second small incision.

  2. Phlebectomy (Microphlebectomy)

    • The surgeon makes tiny incisions over the varicose veins.
    • Veins are removed with a small hook through these incisions.
    • Scars are usually small and fade with time.

Immediately After Varicose Vein Surgery

You can generally expect:

  • A hospital stay of about one day (sometimes same-day discharge, depending on the procedure and your health)
  • Firm bandaging on your legs to reduce bruising
  • Pain-relieving medication as needed
  • Encouragement to walk soon after surgery to improve circulation

Side Effects and Complications of Varicose Vein Surgery

Common Side Effects

  • Swelling – especially in the feet and ankles; may take a few weeks to improve
  • Bruising, pain, and tenderness in the skin and calf muscles
  • Scars – usually smaller and less noticeable than the original varicose veins; fade over time
  • Nerve irritation or injury – causing patches of numbness or “pins and needles”
    • These may improve over months to two years, but sometimes can be permanent

Possible Complications

Although varicose vein surgery is generally safe, all surgery carries some risk:

  • Infection, especially if you had skin ulcers before surgery
  • Blood clots in deep veins (DVT)
  • Bleeding or heavy bruising

Your surgeon will discuss your individual risks and how to reduce them.

Self-Care at Home After Varicose Vein Surgery

Follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully. General tips include:

  • Take time off work – usually 1–2 weeks, depending on your job
  • Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity until cleared by your doctor
  • Do not remove your bandages yourself – let your healthcare provider remove them
  • Keep bandages dry – wrap your leg in plastic while showering
  • Walk at least 30 minutes a day to promote circulation
  • Avoid sun exposure on scars for about 6 months, as sun can make scars darker
  • Wear compression stockings as long as your doctor advises
  • Avoid long periods of standing or sitting with your legs crossed
  • Use support stockings if your legs continue to ache

You will usually have a check-up a few weeks after surgery, and again several months later.

Long-Term Outlook

About 20% of people who have varicose vein surgery may develop new varicose veins over time. This is because surgery treats existing damaged veins, but it does not change your underlying tendency to vein disease. Regular follow-up with a vein specialist in Grand Rapids can help catch and treat new problem veins early.

Other Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

In addition to sclerotherapy and surgery, other minimally invasive treatments may be available locally, including:

  • Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
    • Uses heat (laser or radiofrequency energy) inside the vein to seal it
  • Surface laser or intense pulsed light (IPL)
    • Used mainly for small spider veins and stubborn discoloration
  • Electrodessication
    • Uses electrical current to seal tiny veins

Your vascular specialist or vein clinic in Grand Rapids will recommend the best option based on your vein pattern, symptoms, and overall health.

Local Resources and When to Seek Help in Grand Rapids, MI

Seek medical advice if you:

  • Notice new or worsening varicose veins or spider veins
  • Have leg pain, swelling, or skin changes around your ankles
  • Develop sores that do not heal
  • Have a history of blood clots or vein problems

In an Emergency

Call 911 or go to the emergency department at:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health locations serving the Grand Rapids area

Non-Emergency Help

  • Your primary care provider
  • A vascular surgeon or vein specialist in Grand Rapids
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for general cardiovascular health resources and prevention programs

Key Points

  • One-way valves in leg veins keep blood flowing toward the heart; when they fail, varicose and spider veins can develop.
  • Varicose veins and spider veins are common in Grand Rapids, especially in people who stand or sit for long periods.
  • Treatment is not just cosmetic – it can prevent complications like blood clots, skin changes, and ulcers.
  • Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment using fine needles; most people feel only a mild pinprick.
  • Compression stockings, regular walking, and follow-up care are essential parts of treatment and recovery.
  • Many safe and effective vein treatments are available locally through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and specialized vein clinics in West Michigan.