Erase Varicose Veins with Non-Surgical Treatment
Varicose veins are a very common, and often unsightly and painful problem. Approximately 25 percent of women and 15 of men in the United States suffer from this condition. Women are especially prone to suffer from varicose veins because of pregnancy, and heredity has been shown to be a contributory factor.
How do varicose veins develop? To counteract the forces of gravity, veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards as it is pumped back toward the heart. Over time, these valves can weaken, allowing the blood to pool inside the vein. This can cause the vein to distend, resulting in the "rope-like" appearance commonly associated with varicose veins. This condition can lead to a range of serious circulatory problems, including blood clots, leg ulcers and poor circulation. Many individuals exhibit symptoms of venous insufficiency to include swelling, throbbing, cramping and restless legs.
Until now, the only effective treatment for large varicose veins was vein stripping, a painful and invasive surgical procedure with a lengthy recovery period. Now patients have the options of several new non-surgical approaches that can be performed in a doctor's office.
Endovascular Laser Therapy
A very thin laser fiber is inserted into the vein with local anesthetic and directed to the desired treatment location. When the laser is activated, thermal energy is delivered, causing the vein to close. The laser fiber is gradually withdrawn until the entire diseased vessel is treated. The whole procedure lasts less than one hour. After treatment, patients can walk immediately and return to normal activities. View one of our videos to see just how easy it is.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Using ultrasound, a catheter is positioned into the diseased vein through a small opening in the skin. The tiny catheter powered by radiofrequency energy delivers heat to the vein wall. As the thermal energy is delivered, the vein wall shrinks and is sealed closed. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins. See a video of the procedure here. Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site and additional compression may be provided to aid healing. Patients who undergo this procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.
According to medical research, these procedures are well tolerated by patients, produces good cosmetic results and relief of symptoms. There is a 95 percent success rate reported on numerous studies.
Sclerotherapy
Used commonly for spider veins and small varicose veins, sclerotherapy involves injecting a small volume of a liquid into the diseased vein. The sclerosing liquid acts upon the lining of the vein to cause it to seal shut, eliminating the vein completely. Sclerotherapy is quickly performed in a physician’s office and no anesthesia is required.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Historically, the only treatment for large varicose veins has been to surgically remove or ‘strip’ the vein from the body. Surgical stripping is done in an operating room under anesthesia and requires a considerable recovery period for the patient. More recently, a modified version of stripping known as ambulatory phlebectomy has grown in use. In this version of surgical stripping, multiple incisions are made to hook and remove the vein one portion at a time. More incisions are made than in standard vein stripping, but the damage to the leg and post-surgery recovery time are minimized.
Getting started with varicose vein treatment is easy. Simply contact your doctor or Tuscan Cardiovascular Center for an appointment to see if you are a candidate for this type of laser treatment. We offer the treatment in Las Colinas and Stephenville. Don’t let the pain and embarrassment of varicose veins hold you back.