They can appear on your legs at any age. You may have first noticed them when you were pregnant with your first child or after the first year at a job that required extended time standing or sitting. Initially, their blue, twisted appearance might have been what bothered you most, but now you are experiencing discomfort in your legs. Varicose veins are the cause those dark, sometimes raised and twisted streaks that appear beneath the surface of the skin on your legs. While they may seem harmless, they can cause your quality of life to decrease as their visibility increases.
People suffering from varicose veins often feel self-conscious about their appearance and may even begin to avoid situations and activities that reveal their condition. The idea of putting on shorts or wearing a swimsuit is often enough to deter participation in fun and healthy community activities. As the condition worsens, varicose veins can also lead to the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the legs
- Sensations of tiredness and heaviness in the limbs
- Leg pain and discomfort
- Bulging of the vein
There are a variety of treatments available for individuals interested in regaining their leg health. Treatment options for varicose veins include Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT), Ambulatory Phlebectomy, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), Sclerotherapy, and VenaSeal.
All of the options available have a high success rate and are non-invasive. Each are very different but deliver similar results. Patients meet with a physician to determine which approach may be best for their particular condition.
Treatments for Varicose Veins
Endovenous Laser Treatment is a common non-invasive treatment used to remove varicose veins. During the procedure, a thin fiber is inserted into the vein and a wave of light is emitted through it delivering a small amount of energy into the affected area. This causes the vein to close and seal rerouting the blood to healthier veins. Local anesthetic is administered prior to the treatment to ensure the patient’s comfort, and while most patients report little discomfort there may be some tenderness and bruising after the treatment is done.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is an effective, non-invasive treatment during which veins are targeted through tiny incisions or needle punctures that do not require stitches. The micro incision allows the physician to use local anesthesia for maximum comfort during the procedure. Once it’s complete, the patient’s leg is placed inside of a compression wrap. Some patients experience swelling, but recovery is generally fast and patients are up and walking right after the procedure.
RFA is a leading edge treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to treat varicose veins. During the procedure, a small incision is made and a tiny catheter is inserted and used to deliver a burst of energy through the vein. This causes the collagen in the vein walls to contract, collapse, and seal. The blood reroutes itself to healthy veins. Patients may experience tenderness, bruising, and mild swelling, but recovery is quick and mostly comfortable.
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sterile, foamy solution into the affected veins with a very fine needle. The irritation that results causes the vein to shrink and eventually close. In some cases, multiple treatments are required. This is an outpatient procedure that most patients report experiencing few side effects from.
VenaSeal is a cutting edge approach to the treatment of venous disease that involves inserting a small catheter into the affected area and delivering medical adhesive to certain areas on along the diseased vein and sealing it shut. This causes the blood to reroute to healthy veins deeper within the leg.
To find out more about which treatment might be right for your unique condition, contact the professionals at Advanced Vein Therapy for a consultation.