Varicose Veins Treatment

A variety of options exist for treating varicose veins. Varicose veins treatment options range from lifestyle changes to medical treatments, including surgical and less-invasive non-surgical options. The treatment option that’s right for you will depend on your specific condition and symptoms. Meeting with a vein specialist is the first step toward gaining relief from your varicose veins. Finding a doctor near you is easy with our doctor directory.

When you meet with your doctor, he or she will tailor a treatment plan according to your situation. Treatment will depend on the severity of your varicose veins, your age, whether your varicose veins cause you discomfort or pain, aspects of your medical history and other important factors. Your doctor may also perform an ultrasound to help determine the severity of your varicose veins.

Conservative Varicose Veins Treatments

Conservative varicose vein treatment options include lifestyle and behavior changes. Wearing compression stockings may help to reduce swelling and improve the circulation in the veins.  Many patients find that compression stockings can also relieve symptoms, such as pain and discomfort. Compression stockings come in different grades, including light to heavy compression. You can learn more about compression stockings from your doctor.

Other behavior changes that can help relieve the symptoms of varicose veins include exercising more, losing weight and elevating the legs periodically. Because standing for long periods of time can aggravate varicose vein symptoms, finding ways to get off your feet can help reduce pain.

Varicose Veins Treatment: Vein Surgery and Vein Stripping

Vein stripping has been a standard surgical treatment for varicose veins for many years. Vein stripping is used to remove the saphenous veins, which are the largest surface veins in the legs and thighs. To remove the vein, the doctor first makes incisions at the top and bottom of the area to be removed. Next, a small flexible wire is inserted through one incision and guided through the vein. The doctor guides the wire through the second insertion and pulls the vein out with it, thus stripping the vein from the leg.

The vein stripping procedure is performed in a doctor’s office and generally takes one to one and a half hours. The patient may receive general anesthesia or an epidural, which is a type of anesthesia that numbs the lower part of the body. Vein stripping is an out-patient procedure, and you will be able to walk the same day your procedure is performed. However, you should avoid strenuous activity for about two weeks. Recovery may involve wearing bandages and compression stockings, elevating the legs when sitting, taking pain medication and avoiding sitting or standing still for long periods of time.

Vein stripping is a safe procedure and does not typically result in serious complications. However, some risks do exist, as is true with any surgical procedure. Vein stripping may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is when a blood clot occurs in one of the deep veins of the leg. Infection is another possible complication. Your doctor will give you specific directions to aid your recovery and will be able to explain the symptoms of any major complications that concern you.

One major drawback to vein stripping is that once the saphenous veins are removed, they can no longer be used for bypass surgeries in the future. Your doctor will decide if this option is right for you, and he or she will take into consideration your risk of requiring bypass surgery later in your life.

Varicose Veins Treatment: Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is another surgical procedure used to remove large varicose veins in the leg. The doctor makes tiny incisions in the leg and uses special instruments to pull out the veins. A local anesthesia is used to numb the leg during the procedure. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s office or clinic and normally takes less than an hour. Ambulatory phlebectomy does not usually result in complications, but there is a small risk of infection or bruising. During your recovery, you may need to wear compression stockings, which reduce the risk of infection.

Varicose Veins Treatment: Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a common procedure used to treat both varicose veins and smaller spider veins. A non-surgical procedure, sclerotherapy is less invasive than surgical options. During sclerotherapy, a solution is injected into the vein to cause it to seal up and shrink. This solution, sometimes a foam, causes the vein to “sclerose,” which means to harden. The vein walls harden, closing up the vein and rerouting blood through normal healthy veins. Once the vein is closed off, it begins to shrink and dissolve into the body. Because your body has many veins to carry blood back to the heart, a doctor can shrink away your problem veins without disrupting bloodflow. The doctor may use ultrasound to guide him or her while performing sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is performed in a doctor’s office. Only local anesthesia is required, and you will be able to walk right after your procedure. Recovery is quick, and side effects are minimal. You may experience discomfort, stinging, cramps or bruising at the injection site. Complications resulting from sclerotherapy are rare.

Varicose Veins Treatment: Laser Treatment

Laser therapies are newer options for treating varicose veins, and they work best on smaller veins, such as spider veins. If your varicose veins occur in large veins, your doctor may recommend other treatment options, such as sclerotherapy or vein stripping. Laser technologies are advancing quickly, and several different types of lasers are used to treat varicose and spider veins. Your doctor can discuss the different laser treatments available.

During laser surgery, a laser fiber is inserted into the vein. A light beam pulses into the vein, causing it to seal shut. The body then naturally reroutes blood through normal healthy veins, avoiding the problem vein. The laser causes the vein to seal by killing cells in the vein walls. Because the laser is highly focused, it does not harm surrounding body tissue.

Laser surgery is performed in a doctor`s office, and the patient will be able to get up and walk immediately following the procedure. Although side effects and serious complications are rare, you may experience some discomfort after the procedure.