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Dr. Joseph L. Vanderlinden, M.D.

Vascular Surgeon

Dr. Joseph VanderLinden is a general surgeon practicing in San Bernardino, CA. Dr. VanderLinden specializes in abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and often thyroid glands. General surgeons are able to deal with almost any surgical or critical care emergency, also involving the skin or soft tissue trauma. Dr. VanderLinden provides quality surgical service for gravely ill or injured patients and is able to respond quickly due to knowledge of various surgical procedures.
Learn More About Me
32 years Experience
Dr. Joseph L. VanderLinden, M.D.
  • San Bernardino, CA
  • Univ of Co Sch of Med, Denver Co
  • Accepting new patients

I was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease last week.Please advise.

Get your weight down. Eat a plant based diet. Get your cholesterol treated aggressively. See a cardiologist about cholesterol management. Exercise frequently.

What is the treatment for varicose veins?

Venous enlargement is common during pregnancy. I studied the phenomenon at Loma Linda University during residency, but never published a paper. Varicose veins that persist after READ MORE
Venous enlargement is common during pregnancy. I studied the phenomenon at Loma Linda University during residency, but never published a paper. Varicose veins that persist after pregnancy require ultrasound to determine reflux of blood, meaning non-working valves, in the saphenous veins. Saphenous reflux is treated with endovascular venous ablation using laser or radio frequency heat. It’s a procedure frequently performed in the office. Smaller varicose veins can be treated with sclerosis this injection, laser, or excision if they are large.

I am 7 months pregnant and suffering from varicose veins. Will this condition persist even after my delivery?

Hopefully not.

My family has a history of cardiac issues, and I'm worried. Is it likely that I will develop issues in the future?

See your primary care doctor. Eat a plant based diet. See a cardiologist, if you can, mostly to have your cholesterol aggressively managed. Avoid being heavy. Exercise frequently. READ MORE
See your primary care doctor. Eat a plant based diet. See a cardiologist, if you can, mostly to have your cholesterol aggressively managed. Avoid being heavy. Exercise frequently.

What are the symptoms of a blood clot?

Typically, the symptoms of an acute vein thrombosis is significant pain. Behind the knee, in the calf, or in any affected area.

What causes sudden varicose veins?

See a vascular surgeon. Find one that treats varicose veins using endovascular techniques.

Do spider veins get worse?

In general, spider veins and all other varicose veins worsen throughout life. The spider veins don’t necessarily grow in diameter, but they do recruit other adjacent veins.

My father has been detected with peripheral artery disease. Please advise.

There is no reason to treat asymptomatic PAD. Absolute indications for PAD treatment include a non-healing wound of the lower legs or feet, and rest pain, which is foot pain occurring READ MORE
There is no reason to treat asymptomatic PAD. Absolute indications for PAD treatment include a non-healing wound of the lower legs or feet, and rest pain, which is foot pain occurring during the night.

What is a venogram?

It would be important to know what kind of venous abnormality your doctor is looking for. A venogram is a study where contrast is injected into a vein, usually through an IV, READ MORE
It would be important to know what kind of venous abnormality your doctor is looking for. A venogram is a study where contrast is injected into a vein, usually through an IV, and X-rays are taken. Occasionally, a patient is sedated to undergo a venogram. It’s not necessarily painful, but IV contrast can burn.

What could have triggered varicose veins during my pregnancy?

Varicose veins are caused by several phenomena, but in particular, the hormone changes associated with pregnancy encourage venous dilation, which can cause vein reflux, which is READ MORE
Varicose veins are caused by several phenomena, but in particular, the hormone changes associated with pregnancy encourage venous dilation, which can cause vein reflux, which is the basis of varicose veins. The end of pregnancy has been demonstrated to reduce the appearance of enlarged veins. Keep compression on, if your veins are on your legs.

Varicose veins wounds

Varicose veins are common. They occur as small reticular (spider) veins in most women, but occasionally larger veins are present. It sounds like you have either a refluxing saphenous READ MORE
Varicose veins are common. They occur as small reticular (spider) veins in most women, but occasionally larger veins are present. It sounds like you have either a refluxing saphenous vein, or an incompetent perforating vein. This causes lower leg veins to grow. If the valves are not working correctly, there is nothing specific to do, other than compression therapy, or surgery. Surgery may be injection sclerotherapy, vein resection, or vein ablation.
Compression includes wearing knee high, or thigh high stockings of 20-30mmHg (millimeters of mercury). This may be all that you need. Get measured and purchase hose online, or over the counter. Seeing a vein specialist may be a good idea.

What is claudication?

Claudication is a condition of leg pain related to poor blood flow. There is generally no risk of amputation in non-diabetics from claudcation. Spinal cord compression can cause READ MORE
Claudication is a condition of leg pain related to poor blood flow. There is generally no risk of amputation in non-diabetics from claudcation. Spinal cord compression can cause leg pain. It's called "neurogenic claudication" when it's from spinal compression.
Treatment for claudication is based on daily exercise. Failure to improve from exercise may lead to intervention on blood vessels. Intervention on arteries for claudication puts all patients at risk of future amputation.

What is a vascular surgeon?

A vascular surgeon performs treatments of patients for carotid artery disease, aortic occlusive disease, and aneurysms. Cardiologists also treat patients for similar diseases using READ MORE
A vascular surgeon performs treatments of patients for carotid artery disease, aortic occlusive disease, and aneurysms. Cardiologists also treat patients for similar diseases using wires and catheters, but they are not necessarily trained well in managing peripheral arterial disease.

Why does my leg swell if I have varicose veins?

Varicose veins can contribute to leg edema. They are usually visible and frequently painful.

Is an aortic aneurysm fixable?

Small aneurysms (less than 5cm diameter) rarely rupture. Large aneurysms require treatment. Aortic endografting is usually performed for aortic aneurysm, but open repair is occasionally READ MORE
Small aneurysms (less than 5cm diameter) rarely rupture. Large aneurysms require treatment. Aortic endografting is usually performed for aortic aneurysm, but open repair is occasionally required.

Compression knee highs

Painful varicose veins can be treated with compression. Compression helps with pain and tiredness sensations, but it does not necessarily treat the veins. Insurance companies typically READ MORE
Painful varicose veins can be treated with compression. Compression helps with pain and tiredness sensations, but it does not necessarily treat the veins. Insurance companies typically require compression treatment for 6 months prior to authorizing surgical treatment.

Do varicose veins come back after treatment?

Yes. Patients with varicose veins require treatment and often return for more treatment. Varicose veins grow in all areas of the legs, but the same veins that were treated generally READ MORE
Yes. Patients with varicose veins require treatment and often return for more treatment. Varicose veins grow in all areas of the legs, but the same veins that were treated generally don't come back, it is typically new varicosities.