Varicose Veins Treatment

As we age, we lose collagen not only in the skin but also in the veins' walls. As a result, veins dilate late and blood stays in the legs causing spider veins and varicose veins. Eventually, leg cramps, discomfort, or pain can happen from this extra blood staying in the legs.

Varicose veins, also known as varicose or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. The condition is very common, especially in women. Around 25-35 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins, also known as varicose or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. Varicose veins typically appear swollen and raised, and have a bluish-purple or red color. They often cause cramps, leg discomfort, or pain.

The condition is very common, especially in women. Around 25 - 30 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs.

Causes of varicose veins

Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart. The veins then enlarge. Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.

Some potential causes for varicose veins include:

• pregnancy
• menopause
• age over 40
• standing for long periods
• obesity
• family history of varicose veins

Symptoms of varicose veins

The primary symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Discomfort
• Leg cramps
• Swelling
• Heaviness in the legs
• Pain
• Restless Legs
• Achiness over or around the enlarged veins.

Diagnosing Varicose Veins

Our vascular doctors will likely examine your legs and visible veins while you’re sitting or standing to diagnose varicose veins. They may ask you about any pain or symptoms you’re having.

Our doctors may also want to do an ultrasound to check your blood flow. This is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves. It allows us to see how blood is flowing in your veins.

Treating and Preventing Varicose Veins

In general, our doctors are conservative when treating varicose veins. You’ll probably be advised to make changes to your lifestyle, instead of trying more aggressive treatments.

VNUS Closure Procedure

VNUS® RF (radiofrequency) Ablation system (also called the Closure® procedure) is a minimally invasive varicose vein treatment procedure that uses radiofrequency energy (electricity) to heat, collapse and seal off the targeted blood vessels.

After using ultrasound to map the course of the vein to be treated, our physicians guide a catheter (thin tube) through a small incision into the diseased vein, threading it through the blood vessel into the groin area. Electricity is delivered to a heating element in 20-second pulses, heating and contracting the collagen within the walls of the vein until they shrink and shut down. This process is called ablation. The vein is treated in segments as the catheter is gradually inched back down towards the incision. When the entire vein has been ablated, the blood flow is automatically rerouted through healthier adjacent veins, restoring healthy circulation and reducing swelling. The ablated vein becomes scar tissue and is absorbed by the body.

Sclerotherapy (Foam and Varithena)

Sclerotherapy effectively treats varicose and spider veins. It's often considered the treatment of choice for small varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to scar, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.

After sclerotherapy, treated veins tend to fade within a few weeks, although occasionally it may take a month or more to see the full results. In some instances, several sclerotherapy treatments may be needed.

What Happens After My Procedure?

• You CAN return to work the day after your procedure.
• There are NO activity limitations after, but do NOT engage in any strenuous activity, take a bath or swim for 24 hours.
• You CAN take a shower!
• You WILL wear a compression stocking when you leave the office, which you WILL need to sleep in for the first 2 days after treatment, removing it ONLY to shower.
• It is VERY important to keep moving and maintain a normal level of activity. Walking twice daily for 20 minutes is encouraged and promotes a speedy recovery.
• Avoid ANY prolonged sitting or standing for the first week.
• Elevate BOTH of your legs at leads 3 times a day for 5-10 minutes.