July 17, 2026
Whether she was line dancing, walking, or keeping up with her regular exercise routine, movement was something Rochelle Elie of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, enjoyed – until pain in her right leg began to slow her down. At first, Rochelle thought the pain was simply from everyday tiredness or being on her heels too long. When the pain became more severe, even sleeping and sitting for long periods of time became a challenge.
It all changed when Rochelle attended a health fair at a local church, where CIS provided free screenings and consultations with providers to review the results. After sharing her symptoms and completing the screening, Rochelle’s results showed signs of vein disease. Within a couple of weeks, she saw Dr. Amit Patel, interventional cardiologist and vascular specialist at CIS in Baton Rouge, who, after providing an ultrasound, confirmed her diagnosis: Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a condition in which the veins in the legs cannot properly return blood to the heart. The imaging pinpointed which specific veins need treatment, allowing Dr. Patel to create a personalized treatment plan and determine which vein treatment would be best for her. Dr. Patel treated the root of the problem with a minimally invasive, in-clinic procedure, the Varithena procedure, designed to improve blood flow and relieve her symptoms.
Rochelle shared, “I think I was probably out of the office in about an hour at the most, and it was not painful at all. It was noninvasive. I stayed off my leg maybe two days at the most, and after that I was like, ‘This is a miracle.’ I didn’t feel the pain anymore. It was like a miracle drug. I was actually able to get back to my routine in probably about three or four days.”
Dr. Patel explains that common warning signs of vein disease include leg swelling that worsens throughout the day, along with symptoms such as leg pain, heaviness, aching, and numbness. In some cases, vein disease can also cause skin changes, discoloration, and, in rare cases, ulcers. Unfortunately, vein disease is often underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Learn more about vein disease and discover how our Leg & Vein Center can help you find relief.
The Leg & Vein Center at Cardiovascular Institute of the South diagnoses and treats cardiovascular conditions in the legs, such as peripheral artery disease and vein disease. Our cardiologists are among the most-renowned venous disease specialists in the nation.