Vol. 4, No. 6, June 2007
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Treating Vericose Veins
A new option for treating the condition is effective and minimally invasive.
Tens of millions of people around the world suffer from the aches, pains and swelling of varicose veins—symptoms that tend to become more severe by the end of a long day or simply after prolonged sitting or standing.
Other factors that can contribute to varicose veins are hormone therapy, heredity, obesity, pregnancy and age. In severe cases, varicose veins can lead to skin changes resulting in eczema, pigmentation discoloring, ulceration and bleeding.
Varicose veins are caused by vein valves that fail to close properly, resulting in blood pooling in the vein walls, which causes an outward push, resulting in obvious visual signs of enlargement and bulging. The vessel most often responsible for the reversal of blood flow is called the saphenous vein, which runs along the inner thigh.
Pain and discomfort are often associated with severe varicose veins. Approximately 25 percent of women have varicose veins, and women are almost twice as likely as men to have the condition.
You may suffer from unsightly varicose and/or spider veins, and may be contemplating your treatment options. If your varicose veins are caused by reflux in the saphenous vein, the only sure way to permanently eliminate them is to remove the saphenous vein or block the backward flow. There are several treatment options for varicose veins, as well as a new, minimally invasive way of blocking saphenous vein reflux. The new treatment option, EndoVenous Laser Therapy, is a minimally invasive procedure that has a low risk of scarring and post-operative infection.
The procedure is performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia. During the procedure, your doctor uses ultrasound to map out your vein. A local anesthetic is applied and a thin laser fiber is inserted through a tiny entry point, usually near the knee. Laser energy is delivered to seal the faulty vein. The procedure itself usually takes less than one hour, and recovery time is fast.
Postoperative pain is minimal, and walking immediately following the procedure is encouraged. There is no surgical scar, and you will be able to resume your normal routines immediately with no significant limitations other than limiting strenuous physical activities.
There can be bruising along the treated vein. However, this can be significantly reduced by wearing compression stockings for at least three days after the procedure. Most insurance companies will cover EndoVenous Laser Therapy. However, for basic spider veins, most insurance companies will not cover treatment.
Treating saphenous vein reflux begins with EndoVenous Laser Therapy. Other procedures such as sclerotherapy alone and or surgical removal of the varicosities only deal with the surface, leaving the underlying problem (saphenous vein reflux) untreated. Unless the reflux is eliminated, other varicose veins are bound to develop.
Interventional radiology physicians will evaluate your particular vein condition during your first consultation, which includes a history and physical examination as well as a lower extremity ultrasound evaluation. This will allow your doctor to give you advice on how to best manage your vein issue.
Varicose veins are diseased and do not work correctly. When they are eliminated with EndoVenous Laser Therapy, you won't even know they are gone, other than for not seeing those hideous reflections in the mirror. Your circulation will not be harmed and your legs will be healthy.
Not only will your symptoms be gone—your legs will look great too!
