People suffering from varicose veins have long sought solutions to reduce the problem or completely eliminate problematic veins. For nearly a century, vein extraction was the preferred and most exclusive method for treating varicose veins. While the results were mixed at best, the risks associated with the procedure were many. Patients underwent an often painful procedure that required general anesthesia and involved a long incision in the leg to remove the problematic vein.
The recovery period associated with vein removal was strenuous and often lasted longer than weeks or even months. It was not uncommon for patients to suffer the side effects of this procedure, ranging from significant scarring to nerve damage at the treatment site. Venous conditions are complex and must be treated with a gradual approach that uses a comprehensive view of the structure of the veins through detailed mapping before diagnosis. At the Laser Lipo and Vein Center, Dr.
Thomas Wright performs a preliminary examination of all new patients to determine for venous insufficiency. The conclusions are obtained through detailed ultrasound mapping and, if venous reflux from the saphenous vein is found, endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) is recommended. At our venous clinic in the Torre Universitaria, we offer a full range of treatments for venous diseases, such as leg swelling, spider veins, varicose veins, venous reflux and deep vein thrombosis. Our team is one of the first in St.
Louis will offer the VenaSeal closure System, which is a faster procedure with faster recovery after endovenous ablation. Sclerotherapy is one of the best treatments for spider veins, but it can also be used for varicose veins. The treatment involves injecting a chemical solution into the vein. This causes the walls to swell and stick together, closing and stopping blood flow.
As a result, the vein shrinks within a few weeks. The number of injections a patient needs depends on the location and size of their veins. Patients will need to wear bandages or compression stockings for a couple of weeks after treatment, but they can return to their normal activities the same day. Varicose veins occur when the valves inside the veins that help direct blood flow don't work properly.
This can cause blood to accumulate in the vessels of the leg and cause the veins to enlarge. If the problematic vein cannot be treated with sclerotherapy or EVLA, another option is ambulatory phlebectomy. During this procedure, several small incisions are made over a bulging vein and the vein is removed. Vein treatment can be performed by many types of doctors, including interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons.
You'll want a board-certified doctor who has extensive experience treating vascular diseases. RAYUS Vascular Care's interventional radiologists offer this experience. You can continue your daily activities after the procedure. Strenuous workouts should be avoided for two days and their intensity reduced for about a week.
Many patients will experience immediate relief and most patients will experience complete relief within 2 to 6 weeks. Treatments for spider veins are almost always considered cosmetic and are not covered by insurance. The only exception to this is if the spider vein has bled. Sometimes, insurance companies cover the cost of treating bleeding spider veins, but not the other spider veins on the legs.
Your insurance company's policy may vary, so check with them about coverage decisions. Ask your vein specialist at the University of Washington about the cost of treatment and how many sessions will be required. Remember that this is only an estimate, as each patient's response to sclerotherapy is unique. Also, be prepared for new spider veins to develop elsewhere in the future, as the process of creating new spider veins continues in your legs as you age.
If you have spider veins, varicose veins, or other vein disease, contact MINT today and let us help you decide what treatment option is best for you. Patients who choose to use endovenous laser ablation to treat varicose veins will enjoy an outpatient procedure that can be performed directly in their treating doctor's office for an afternoon. As explained in the Vein Problems tab, almost all patients with varicose vein problems have some degree of heaviness, discomfort, or swelling in their legs, even if they have become accustomed to these problems over time. Patients can work closely with their doctors to determine what form of laser treatment for varicose veins with laser best suits their individual needs and can even incorporate preferences related to recovery times to fit their lifestyle.
The long saphenous vein that runs through the inside of the leg from the groin to the ankle, and the short saphenous vein that runs along the outside of the leg from the knee to the ankle, are prone to developing these broken valves that cause venous reflux. Unlike surgical vein removal, endovenous laser treatment has no negative side effects. During this treatment, local anesthesia is injected and a small incision is made before using specific radiofrequency energy to seal and collapse varicose veins in question. Closing off this vein causes blood to be redirected through healthy vessels which should ease any painful symptoms.
In years past varicose veins were considered an “aesthetic problem” or something expected with age; however general practitioners soon realized these were medical conditions requiring specialized care. Unlike prominent varicose veins which are elevated swollen blood vessels; spider veins are smaller superficial blood vessels found just beneath skin. Recovery takes place in a matter of hours or days; if medication is needed it's simply an over-the-counter pain reliever while venous symptoms such as pain tenderness or burning go away quickly. With endovenous laser ablation treatment patients can expect an outpatient procedure that can be performed directly in their treating doctor's office for an afternoon; local anesthesia is injected before using specific radiofrequency energy to seal and collapse varicose veins in question. Patients should avoid strenuous workouts for two days after treatment while reducing intensity for about a week; many patients will experience immediate relief while most will experience complete relief within 2-6 weeks depending on individual response. Treatments for spider veins are almost always considered cosmetic and...
