Leg Up on Varicose Veins
Comprehensive varicose vein treatments alleviate symptoms
March 12, 2026
4 minute read
Comprehensive varicose vein treatments alleviate symptoms
His legs looked like snakes, a mass of thick, coiled ropes bulging beneath his skin. At least according to Rick Dettman’s granddaughter.
“I felt very self-conscious,” said the 70-year-old grandfather of nine, who spent decades avoiding shorts unless he was swimming. “I didn’t think anything could be done.”
Varicose veins are caused when the valves in the blood vessels stop working properly, leading to backward blood flow (known as venous reflux) that puts pressure on the vein walls. Some people have a genetic predisposition to varicose veins, and Rick’s father and grandfather also had the condition.
Rick’s varicose veins first became noticeable in his late 20s. As the decades went on, they became more pronounced, and the aching feeling in his legs increased. It bothered him during his work as an echocardiographer and clinical educator, while he was walking and on the pickleball court.
“Eventually, the veins became more bulbous, and my legs felt heavy and tired all the time,” he said. “But I just played through it. I thought it was part of life as I got older.”
In early 2024, he took action. His cardiologist referred him to Mona Li, MD, vascular surgeon and Medical College of Wisconsin faculty member. Dr. Li practices at the Froedtert & MCW FORME™ Aesthetic and Vein Center.
“Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue,” Dr. Li said. “It is a slowly progressive condition that doesn’t go away on its own. Most people with varicose veins will develop symptoms like pain, swelling, burning, heaviness, itching and restlessness.”
If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to more severe medical problems, including skin damage, inflammation, blood clots and venous ulcers. Fortunately, new treatments, including minimally invasive techniques, can help eliminate varicose veins.
Rick’s case was unique because of the severity and anatomical differences between his legs. His condition necessitated nearly every type of varicose vein procedure offered.
When planning treatment, vein specialists consider the condition of the saphenous veins.
“They’re the major trunks of the superficial venous system,” Dr. Li said. “Varicose veins are usually branches off a saphenous trunk. When we diagnose patients with venous reflux, we’re trying to see if those saphenous trunks are involved or if it is just the varicose veins themselves.”
In Rick’s case, the anterior saphenous vein in his right leg was causing the worst of his symptoms. In April 2024, he went to Froedtert Hospital for a high ligation of the anterior saphenous vein, a surgery that disconnected the saphenous vein from the deep vein in his groin. For complex cases like Rick’s, Dr. Li calls on her vascular surgery partners to assist.
While Rick was in the operating room, Dr. Li also performed a phlebectomy, a minimally invasive procedure which uses a hook to remove veins through small incisions in the skin.
The remaining varicose veins in Rick’s right leg were treated with sclerotherapy (injections) by Allison Fladten, RN, APNP, at FORME. The minimally invasive procedure uses an FDA-approved chemical solution called polidocanol to collapse the enlarged veins.
“It feels like a bee sting for a second and then it’s fine,” Rick said.
About a month later, Dr. Li addressed the veins in Rick’s other leg. For the left leg saphenous vein, Dr. Li performed a minimally invasive procedure in the office called an endovenous ablation, which uses heat energy to close a leaking or refluxing saphenous vein.
“We waited a few months to see if his varicose veins would shrink because up to 75% will,” Dr. Li said. “Then, depending on the residual size, we either remove them or perform sclerotherapy.”
Dr. Li treated the remaining problem veins through a phlebectomy. Then she used sclerotherapy to treat the rest of the varicose veins that could not be easily removed because of their location, along with some spider veins.
The process took several months to complete because of Rick’s extensive vein issues, but his recovery time was minimal. He was soon back to pickleball and other regular activities, including volunteering as an echocardiographer at a free clinic in Milwaukee, serving on a local health department’s board of health and attending classes in integrative health.
“I am happy with the results of the treatments,” Rick said. “My legs have more energy. It’s nice to wear shorts and saunter into my backyard and enjoy the weather. My greatest regret is waiting so long to have it done.”
Our vein specialists offer comprehensive nonsurgical and surgical vein treatments. Call 414-955-1050 for an appointment. Learn more at froedtert.com/forme.
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin FORME Aesthetic and Vein Center is located at the Tosa Health Center. The FORME team includes board-certified physicians in dermatology, facial plastic surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery and vascular and interventional radiology who are supported by clinical nurse specialists and clinical estheticians.
