Updated:
by
Zoe Deol, MD, FACS
Medically reviewed by Zoe Deol, MD, FACS, DABVLM, on November 22, 2025
When Joshua walked into Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) earlier this year, he relied on a cane and sheer determination to stay mobile. At just 39 years old, he faced two major obstacles: severe knee pain that required reconstructive surgery and varicose veins that had plagued him since adolescence.
“Before my knee replacement, my leg was so swollen and uncomfortable that my orthopedic surgeon wanted the veins treated first. I’d had these problem veins since I was 15, but as I got older, they became a bigger and bigger problem with swelling, itching, and cramping.” –Joshua
For this story, we spoke with Josh and his CVR vein specialist, Dr. Zoe Deol, about the journey that gave him his strength and his stride back. Dr. Deol is the lead vein physician at two Detroit area CVR vein clinic locations in Southgate, Michigan, and Southfield, Michigan.
✅ To schedule a consultation with Dr. Zoe Deol at CVR in Southgate (Detroit), Michigan, 👉CLICK HERE
✅ To schedule a consultation with Dr. Zoe Deol at CVR in Southfield, Michigan, 👉CLICK HERE
✅Don’t live near Michigan? Call 240-249-8250 or schedule online at one of CVR’s 120+ nationwide clinics.
By the time Josh was referred to Dr. Deol by his orthopedic surgeon, his right leg, which needed knee replacement surgery, was also plagued with symptoms of vein disease, including being visibly swollen, painful, and having rope-like bulging varicose veins.
“His case was unique. The orthopedic surgeon didn’t want to risk doing a knee replacement until the diseased veins were addressed, since varicose veins increase the likelihood of blood clots during knee replacement surgery. Josh was in so much pain from his knee that he could barely get on and off the table. We were all in tears watching him struggle to walk with a cane at his young age.” –Dr. Zoe Deol
Varicose veins aren’t just a cosmetic nuisance. When the valves inside the veins fail, blood flows backward and pools in the legs, leading to swelling, pain, heaviness, itching, and cramping. Left untreated, varicose veins can increase the risk of blood clots and make recovery from orthopedic procedures more dangerous.
Dr. Deol designed a custom treatment plan to first restore proper venous circulation and reduce the swelling and inflammation in Josh’s legs, paving the way for his future knee replacement.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-249-8250
📅 Or book online HERE
Josh’s treatment involved a series of office-based procedures, allowing him to immediately return to work, never missing a day.
“Naturally, I was nervous at first, but the pain wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought, and I started seeing results immediately.” – Josh
Those results were exactly what Dr. Deol hoped for.
“Once the major diseased veins were treated, the swelling came down dramatically,” she explains. “The improved blood flow helped his tissues heal, reduced the pressure in his legs, and prepared him to safely undergo his much needed knee surgery.”
“I thought it would be painful and not worth it. Now that I’ve gone through it, I know it’s not bad at all. The hardest part was deciding to start.” – Josh
By March, Josh had completed his vein procedures. In April, he successfully underwent right total knee replacement.
When he returned to CVR for a follow-up, the change was astonishing.
“He literally skipped into my office, smiling” says Dr. Deol. “No cane, no limp, just pure relief. Seeing that transformation, and his megawatt smile, is why we do what we do.”
For Josh, the difference was life-changing:
“I no longer have the swelling in my legs,” he says. “I still wear compression socks to keep things under control, but it’s nothing like before. I used to see this deep cuff on my leg where my sock had been. That’s gone now.”
The benefits went far beyond looks or even pain relief; they restored his lifestyle.
A lifelong outdoorsman, Josh enjoys waterfowl hunting, hiking with his dog, and mountain biking. Before treatment, cramps and leg fatigue forced him to give up these hobbies.
“I’m back on my bike again,” he says proudly. “Not at the level I want yet, but I’m doing it. After years of walking with a cane, that feels incredible.”
He’s building muscle strength gradually and plans to return to full-intensity biking next summer. “Right now, I’m hiking a lot to rebuild strength. It’s only been six months since my knee surgery, so I’m being realistic—but I’m moving forward.”
During his journey, Josh discovered that vein disease runs deep in his family—both grandmothers and his mother had varicose veins, and his sister experiences spider veins. What might seem like a simple family detail is, in truth, a revelation that could change how he and others view their own vein health:
“I wish I’d known how much it mattered earlier,” he admits. “Doctors used to tell me, ‘If it doesn’t hurt, don’t mess with it.’ I believed that for too long. Now I realize I could’ve avoided years of discomfort if I’d taken care of it sooner.”
Dr. Deol adds that heredity is one of the strongest predictors of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI):
“When patients have a family history, they shouldn’t wait for symptoms to worsen,” she says. “Treatment today is safe, minimally invasive, and performed entirely in the office under local anesthesia. The sooner you treat it, the better your outcomes.”
Josh has a hard-earned yet straightforward message for anyone hesitating to seek care:
“Don’t put it on the back burner. Be patient with it; it’s a process. Follow the directions and trust your doctor. You’ll see results. Honestly, the hardest part was just showing up and getting out of my own head.” – Josh
He also encourages others, especially men, to be honest about their symptoms.
“For a long time, I said I was fine when I wasn’t. Typical guy thing, right? But if you don’t tell your doctor what’s really going on, nobody can help you. Once I started being honest and following through, everything changed.” – Josh
Today, Josh is walking tall and pain-free, grateful for both his new knee and his healthier veins.
“I still can’t believe how much better my legs look and feel,” he says. “The veins that used to bulge out are gone. My swelling is gone. I’m back to doing the things I love.” – Josh
Dr. Deol couldn’t be prouder of his progress:
“Josh’s story shows how interconnected vein health is with overall mobility and healing. By treating his veins first, we gave his knee surgery the best chance of success—and gave him his quality of life back.”
Varicose veins are a medical condition, not just a cosmetic concern. If you experience leg swelling, aching, or visible veins, especially before an orthopedic procedure, schedule an evaluation with a Center for Vein Restoration board-certified vein specialist.
Why?
Because Center for Vein Restoration is the nation’s largest physician-led vein center, offering advanced, minimally invasive treatments that relieve symptoms, restore comfort, and improve quality of life.
Because at Center for Vein Restoration, patients benefit from the nation’s most experienced team of board-certified vein specialists, combining clinical excellence with state-of-the-art technology to deliver lasting results and exceptional vein care.
1. What are the most common symptoms of varicose veins?
Varicose veins often cause swelling, aching, heaviness, throbbing, itching, and cramping in the legs, especially after long periods of standing or sitting. In more advanced cases, the veins may appear large, twisted, and bulging beneath the skin.
2. Are varicose veins only a cosmetic issue?
No. While many people seek treatment for appearance-related concerns, varicose veins are a medical condition caused by poor circulation and faulty vein valves. Left untreated, they can lead to increasing pain, skin changes, blood clots, and even non-healing wounds.
3. Can varicose veins affect other medical procedures, like joint replacement surgery?
Yes. When varicose veins are present, the risk of complications such as blood clots and poor circulation increases, which can make recovery from surgeries like knee or hip replacement more difficult and risky. Treating vein disease ahead of time can create a safer environment for healing.
4. Is varicose vein treatment painful or difficult to recover from?
Most modern vein treatments are minimally invasive, performed in the office, and involve little to no downtime. Patients are typically able to return to normal activities quickly, often the same day, with only mild and temporary discomfort.
About Vein Disease
Spider Veins
Varicose Veins
Vein Disease Treatments
Treating Spider Veins
Treating Varicose Veins
About Us
Patient Resources
Physician Resources