Get Answers for Tired, Aching Legs
Aching, heavy, swollen or discolored legs can have many causes, and weak veins are one of the most common. Vein disease occurs when the valves inside your veins weaken or become damaged, so blood pools in your legs. That can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, heaviness, cramping and skin changes.
St. Clair Vein & Embolization Center (formerly Three Rivers Vein Center) treats these conditions with minimally invasive care. Two board-certified physicians, Brandon Repko, MD, and Philip Georgevich, MD, see patients at the Dunlap Family Outpatient Center in Pittsburgh, and most patients return home the same day after a procedure.
When you’re ready for answers, request an appointment online or call (412) 942-6317.

Vein Conditions We Treat
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins you can often see or feel under the skin of your legs. They form when weak valves let blood flow backward and pool. Many people notice aching, heaviness or itching along with the bulging. Our physicians treat varicose veins with minimally invasive options such as radiofrequency vein ablation, VenaSeal and Varithena.
Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins that show through the skin, often in a web or branching pattern. They usually cause few symptoms, but many people want them treated for how they look. Dr. Georgevich performs cosmetic sclerotherapy, which uses tiny injections to fade these veins. An exam first checks for larger vein problems underneath.
Leg swelling happens when fluid builds up in the lower legs and ankles. When weak veins let blood pool, pressure pushes fluid into the tissue around them. Swelling that returns day after day deserves a closer look, and a vein ultrasound can show whether your veins are part of the cause.
Heavy, tired legs are a common sign that blood isn’t moving well back up toward your heart. The feeling often gets worse at the end of the day or after long periods of standing or sitting. A vein exam can show whether weak valves are behind it and what treatment options fit your symptoms.
Skin discoloration shows up as brown, red or darkened patches, often around the ankles and lower legs. It can be a sign that blood has been pooling in your veins for some time. Because skin changes can point to vein problems that have been building, an exam is a good idea even when the patch doesn’t hurt.
Restless legs cause an urge to move your legs, usually when you’re resting in the evening or at night. The condition has several possible causes, so your physician reviews your symptoms and history first. For some people, weak leg veins may contribute, and a vein exam can help rule that cause in or out.
Leg and foot cramps are sudden, painful tightening of the muscles, and they often strike at night. Poor circulation in the legs can be one contributor, so a vein evaluation may be worthwhile if the cramps keep coming back. Your physician looks at your symptoms, your history and your veins to find the best next step.
Cold legs and feet can be a sign that blood isn’t circulating well. A vein exam, including an ultrasound, can show whether weak veins are part of the problem and which treatment options fit you. It helps to tell your physician when the coldness started and whether it affects one leg or both.
St. Clair Vein & Embolization Center: Pittsburgh’s Vein Specialists