UNDERSTANDING VARICOSE VEINS
What are varicose veins?
-
Enlarged, sometimes twisted veins that are close to the surface of the skin.
How do normal veins work?
-
Hundreds of one way veins valves direct blood up the leg toward the heart.
-
Gravity pulls blood back down the leg in reverse direction over the normal valve, causing the valve to close.
-
Normal valves keep downward-pulled blood from passing below the closed valve.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
What causes varicose veins?
-
Gravity pulls venous blood down the leg in a reverse direction over the abnormal vein valve.
-
The vein valve does not close normally due to vein valve injury, vein valve defects, or enlarged vein size.
-
Downward-pulled blood passes below the vein valve, and is called “venous reflux” or venous insufficiency.
What causes varicose vein symptoms?
-
Increased blood and pressure in the veins force fluid into surrounding tissue, causing edema.
​
What are varicose vein symptoms ?
-
Leg swelling, heaviness, aching, pain, or fatigue.
-
Skin itching, burning, redness, discoloration, bleeding or ulceration.
-
Sometimes varicose veins may be present without symptoms.
*Disclaimer- The information provided is for informational purposes only.
WHAT ARE
TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Compression therapy
-
20-30 mm Hg compression hose (medical grade) are often used
-
Elastic bandages
-
Medicated bandages (varicose vein with ulcers)
​
Ablation therapy (laser, radiofrequency, cyanoacrylate)
-
A catheter is inserted in a vein, which closes the vein after delivering heat or laser or glue treatment to the vein wall.
-
Treatments are equally effective with differing risks and benefits.
-
Treatments are individualized based upon the patient’s clinical scenario
Sclerotherapy (solution, foam)
-
Foam sclerotherapy is used to treat saphenous, accessory, or branching veins not treated by ablation, ligation and stripping, or phlebectomy
-
Sclerotherapy solution is also used to treat smaller veins (less than 3mm -reticular veins, spider veins).
Micro-Phlebectomy
-
Tiny slits are made in the skin over bulging varicose veins
-
The varicose vein is then pulled through the slit in the skin and divided
-
The disrupted varicose vein inhibits pooling of blood in the legs
Vein Stripping and ligation
-
A historic and less utilized procedure since the development of less invasive and more effective treatments (radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation)
-
Incisions are made in the groin and at the knee or ankle region
-
The varicose vein within each incision site is cut/transected
-
A slender tube is placed in the vein through the lower incision and exits the vein in the upper incision
-
The vein is then pulled from the upper incision, and brought out of the lower incision
-
The disrupted vein decreases pooling of blood in the legs after removal of the vein
*Disclaimer- The information provided is for informational purposes only.
WHAT IS
VEIN ABLATION?
Ablation therapy (laser, radiofrequency, glue)
-
A catheter is inserted in a vein, which closes the vein after delivering heat or laser or glue treatment to the vein wall
-
Treatments are equally effective with differing risks and benefits
-
Treatments are individualized based upon the patient’s clinical scenario
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​
Why treat varicose veins and venous disease?
-
Treatment is administered to relieve symptoms, improve pooling of venous blood in the legs, and restore health and appearance to the legs.
-
Treating varicose veins and venous reflux often prevents more advanced problems:
-
Profuse venous bleeding
-
Permanent skin discoloration
-
Recurrent superficial venous thrombosis
-
Recurrence of varicose veins and spider veins
-
Permanent skin ulceration
-
Inability to perform work-related duties and/or normal day activities
-
Is treatment painful?
-
Most treatments are performed using local anesthesia in the office
-
Post procedure pain medication is rarely necessary
-
Twilight sedation (conscious sedation) or general anesthesia may be beneficial for some.
*Disclaimer- The information provided is for informational purposes only.
What is vein Sclerotherapy?
-
Injection of medication inside the vein to damage the inner vein wall
-
Medication may be injected in liquid form or may combined with CO2 or obtained from a commercial cannister.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Does it work?
-
Yes!
-
1 or more treatments may be needed for spider veins with "sunburst" or "cluster" patterns.
​
What is the medication used?
-
There are several types of sclerosing medications used
-
Each medication has its strengths and weaknesses
-
Treatment and medication recommendations are personalized for each patient. Book a FREE Spider Vein Screening to Learn More.
​
What are potential complications?
-
Temporary bruising
-
Temporary or permanent vein color changes
-
Inflammation of vein after closure (thrombophlebitis)
-
Allergic reaction to the medication
-
Medication effects on deeper veins
What is the recovery period?
-
Same day recovery
-
Daily compression therapy is recommended during the recovery period.
WHAT IS SCLEROTHERAPY?
*Disclaimer- The information provided is for informational purposes only.
WHAT IS
PHLEBECTOMY?
What is ambulatory phlebectomy?
An outpatient procedure to remove bulging superficial veins through small slit-like incisions in the skin
​
​
​
​
​
What can I expect after having ambulatory phlebectomy?
-
You may walk immediately after surgery within the limits of comfort
-
Continue to wear compression therapy as directed
-
Temporary bruising and swelling is normal after treatment
-
Time off from work may be appropriate if extensive ambulatory phlebectomy is performed
​
What are potential complications?
-
Temporary bruising and swelling
-
Inflammation caused by remaining small segments of vein (thrombophlebitis)
-
Skin numbness
-
Allergic reaction to local anesthesia
-
Incision site infection (low risk, reduced with standard wound cleansing as instructed after surgery)
*Disclaimer- The information provided is for informational purposes only.