Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Summer 2020

lakeregional.com 7 outpatient setting,” says Scott Brick, D.O., general surgeon. “Better treatment will give many patients with venous leg ulcers the ability to heal faster and may even prevent future ulcers. By adding vein services to the advanced wound care treatment options already available, the Wound Healing Center will be able to heal more people living with condi- tions that lead to chronic wounds.” The laser and radiofrequency procedures use heat to seal off any diseased veins so blood can get rerouted to healthy veins. Normally, when you get a cut or a scrape, the body starts the healing process to close any wounds. But if you have a leg ulcer, or open skin sore, it affects your legs and causes many issues — even death in some cases. These proce- dures help to heal the wounds properly. One-stop healing “Before we opened this service line, patients with venous ulcers would require multiple visits to different services,” Dr. Brick says. “By offering vein care right in the Wound Healing Center, patients are able to get their wounds treated and the diagnostic studies and vein procedures all in one convenient location.” GET BACK TO THE LIFE YOU LOVE To learn more about Lake Regional Wound Healing Center, visit lakeregional.com/whc or call 573-302-2990 to schedule an evaluation. Live better The main benefits of getting vein care services: Better sleep Improved circulation Relief from leg cramps and other leg symptoms If you are experiencing venous leg ulcers or symptoms in your lower leg, including ache, pain, tightness, skin irritation, heaviness, muscle cramps or other complaints attributable to venous dys- function, ask your primary care provider if vein care services could benefit you. Advanced options Vein care at the Wound Healing Center includes three main ser- vices: venous reflux screenings, endovenous laser treatment and duplex ultrasound. Venous reflux screenings are provided when venous valves do not work properly — this often occurs when vein valves weaken from mul- tiple pregnancies or genetic factors, leading to the reversal of blood flow through the valves while sitting or standing. Endovenous laser treatment closes the varicose veins to restore the correct circulation. A duplex ultrasound is a non-invasive evaluation of blood flow through arteries and veins, providing information to help the surgeon make a proper diagnosis.