You must go to a vein expert for treatment if you have varicose or spider veins. But have you ever wondered how one becomes a vein expert? What kind of training is needed to be an expert in treating venous diseases?
A vein expert is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating venous disorders, including varicose veins, spider veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and venous stasis ulcers. These doctors don’t just eliminate varicose and spider veins, they are treating the underlying cause of these conditions.
Doctors specializing in family medicine, pain management, or internal medicine don’t have the formal training to diagnose and manage venous disorders. Vascular interventional radiologist and vascular surgeons represent vein specialists with the highest and most focused training in phlebology and venous disease.
The starting phase of becoming a vein expert usually requires completing a four year undergraduate degree in science related disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics or other science specific focuses. After receiving an undergraduate degree and usually taking the MCATs, one can enter medical school and obtain a medical degree, usually in four years.
You will then need to match for a residency program in radiology or surgery. This is like the “graduate” phase of medical education. Medical specialties like internal medicine and family medicine usually require three years of residency, while radiology and general surgery call for five years of training.
Doctors in highly specialized fields usually complete a fellowship program. Vein specialist will commonly complete fellowships in Vascular Interventional Radiology or Vascular Surgery. You must also become board certified to demonstrate your qualifications and capability in your chosen field of specialty.
These two fellowships are one of the few specialties that provide specialized endovenous and endovascular minimally invasive training. These are some of the few doctors that are especially trained during their fellowships to go through your arteries and veins to do procedures and that is what makes them the experts.
In the past, vein diseases were treated by general surgeons. It was only in 2005 that the American Medical Association recognized phlebology as a medical specialty. The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine was established in 2008 to certify vein experts.
The designation and credentials for vein experts are a welcome development for medical professionals and patients. For highly competent doctors, being certified allows them to offer specialized solutions to their patients. Specialists also make it easy for people suffering from varicose veins or spider veins to seek adequate treatment.
In the past, surgery was the only way to get rid of varicose and spider veins. Now, vein experts offer minimally-invasive options as an alternative to old-fashioned methods. It’s difficult to imagine the development of modern treatments for venous diseases without the certification of vein experts.
Dr. Vinay Madan at the Center for Varicose Veins is a board-certified vein expert with more than two decades of experience treating venous disorders. He has treated thousands of patients using different treatments and procedures. The Center for Varicose Veins offers two convenient locations in Wilton and Fairfield, CT. Call Center for Varicose Veins today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Madan.
