Varicose veins affect more than 25 million Americans. Women and seniors are most affected by the painful problem.

But, a Springfield doctor has helped pioneer a minimally invasive procedure to eliminate these veins.

After living with varicose veins for several years, Doris Nickols wants to get rid them.

"I have to wear pants all the time. It's kind of unsightly and plus the fact it's extremely painful. It gets to point where it slows me down and I'm really active," Nickols said.

As a nurse, Nickols is often on her feet all day long.

"When you're standing on your feet all day, gravity tends to make venus blood pool in your legs. As that blood pools in the veins, the veins dilate and they start to hurt," general vascular surgeon Dr. Charles Dunn said.

Dr. Dunn has treated varicose veins the past ten years, but in the past year started using radiofrequency energy to rid his patients of the painful veins.

"We don't take the veins out. We burn them from the inside and they close off. When they close off, they usually scar up and body absorbs it, so there is no blood flowing through the vein anymore," Dr. Dunn said.

Dunn uses a catheter to do this. It is minimally invasive and little blood is lost.

Patients need little recovery time.

"The beauty of microwave technique is those patients have almost no pain. We don't give anyone any pain medicine. They go back to work the next day, normal activities the next day. No down time at all," Dr. Dunn said.

Dr. Dunn says after about three or four months the veins that have been sticking out go away because the pressure is gone.

This is not a cosmetic surgery. It's not for people with spider veins. It's for folks with painful varicose veins that affect their day-to-day life.

Most insurance will cover the procedure.

Contact Information for Dr. Charles Dunn:
Crighton Olive Dunn Surgical Group, Inc.
Office Number: (417)882-2349
Fax Number: (417)882-1083