Healthtips

If you have veins in your leg that bulge or look twisted, this is result of the vein walls becoming weak, allowing the blood to balloon out. The valves in the vein no longer work properly, creating a backflow or “reflux” of blood leaking backward down the legs. This ongoing action increases the distention of the veins.

Besides the unsightly appearance, other symptoms of varicose veins include pain in the legs and ankles, tiredness in the legs, a feeling of heaviness or burning, and swelling. These symptoms may be more severe at the end of the day. Prolonged sitting or standing can make your symptoms worse.

There are several treatment options that may bring relief from varicose veins. A specialist will examine you to determine which procedure is most appropriate for your particular condition and may prescribe one or more of several options.

Compression hose provide pressure from the ankles upward, diminishing the reflux of blood down the leg that occurs with gravity. Wearing compression hose will decrease the symptoms of varicose veins, but does not correct the cause.

Sclerotherapy is a fairly simple procedure where the veins are injected with a solution that produces an irritation to the inner lining of the vein, resulting in the forming of scar tissue that seals off the unwanted veins.

Ambulatory phlebectomy is performed in our office, under local anesthesia. This procedure involves making incisions through which specially designed small hooks are directed to find swollen veins. The veins are brought to the surface of the skin and tied off. The incisions are closed with small tapes. There are no stitches, and scarring is minimal.

Vein Ligation and Stripping is done in the operating room and involves tying off the upper portion of the affected veins, which typically requires an incision in the groin. The vein is then located at the knee and a catheter is placed. This is used for “stripping” the vein from the leg. The vein is removed most commonly from the groin to the knee. Associated branch veins are removed by the ambulatory phlebectomy method. This procedure requires stitches and no brief hospital stay.

Endovascular laser ablation is a minimally-invasive, one-hour procedure involving minimal discomfort and immediate recovery for most patients. It is an option for treating greater saphenous vein incompetence, which causes varicose veins. The laser used in the procedure destroys the GSV, relieving the backflow pressure and allowing the blood to flow in the right direction. This eliminates the varicose vein and the pain it may have caused.

Radio Frequency Ablation uses radio frequency energy to close the GSV. Similar to the laser ablation procedure, it is conducted under local anesthesia. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening, using a single needle stick. With the aid of ultrasound, the catheter is appropriately placed and delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.