Written By: Emma Squillace
Varicose veins can be frustrating, painful, and interfere with your quality of life. Some people say their biggest complaint about varicose veins is that they are a barrier to feeling comfortable in summer clothes. We have patients who avoid swimming pools, shorts, and hesitate to attend social activities that involve wearing clothes that reveal their legs. You should not have to live with something that gets in the way of you feeling comfortable at a friend’s BBQ or a picnic with your kids. Other patients tell us it’s the discomfort of varicose veins that they find most problematic. These people deal with aching, heaviness, and sometimes itching or ulcers on their legs. No matter what your reason is, it’s important to understand that varicose veins can be treated with short, non-surgical procedures. Here are the most popular options for treating varicose veins – and other vein conditions – at West Medical:
Endovenous Laser Treatment
One of the most-requested treatments we offer for varicose veins is one that uses lasers. This treatment is called Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT), and it is popular because of how minimally invasive it is, as well as its high success rate. When our vein specialists perform this laser treatment, they first numb the area with a little bit of local anesthesia. Then a very small laser fiber is inserted into the varicose vein. This laser is able to send a pulse of heat into your vein, causing the vein to seal itself. As a result, the vein is no longer part of your circulatory system, and does not bulge, twist, or cause you discomfort.
Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy, or ambulatory phlebectomy, is a procedure where we remove the varicose vein from your leg, instead of cutting off its blood supply. Although it may sound invasive, is in no way a major surgical procedure like stripping and ligation. Instead, with phlebectomy we start by giving you local anesthesia to numb the part we’ll be working on. Next, our vein specialist creates a small incision close to the troublesome vein, and removes that vein through this incision. In general, you will not require stitches after this procedure because of how small the incision is. You can walk right after the procedure, and can resume most of your normal activities right away.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a popular vein treatment which is used not for varicose veins, but for 2 other vein problems: spider veins and reticular veins. People like that sclerotherapy is so minimally invasive that it does not involve any anesthesia. This vein treatment works via injection. Your doctor will inject a sclerosant into the affected vein with a very thin needle. A sclerosant is a substance that initiates a reaction within a vein. This reaction results in the vein collapsing, making it no longer visible under the skin. A safe and effective procedure, sclerotherapy allows you to return to your daily activities right away after treatment. Most patients do not take any time off of work.
No matter what kind of vein problems you have, the experts at West Medical can present you with treatment options to improve your confidence and alleviate negative effects like aching or tired legs. If you’d like to learn more about veins and vein treatments, please call our offices at (855) 690-0565.