How are varicose veins treated?
The treatment of varicose veins should be tailored to each patient's clinical needs. Not all vein treatments are suited to all patients.
Historically, surgery has been the treatment for varicose veins. This invasive procedure requires hospitalization and can cause significant discomfort and longer recovery times. New non-surgical options are rapidly changing the way varicose veins are treated.
Here is a list of painless and quick-recovery procedures which may be right for you:
- Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT): In this procedure, a small laser fiber is inserted into the vein under ultrasound guidance. The laser will cause the vein to close off, and help eliminate the high pressure in the vein which causes normal veins to become varicose veins.
- Sclerotherapy: This invovles injecting a solution directly into small superficial veins causing them to shrink. In many patients however, these small "spider" veins are a sign that larger, deeper veins are also abnormal, and only treating the small superficial veins will not have a good results, as new spider veins will continue to develop.
- Microphlebectomy: This office procedure involves pulling out superficial veins through the skin, through a hole about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. Only a local anesthetic is required for this procedure.
Paulding Article October 2006 more >>
What is sclerotherapy? more >>
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