Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can be embarassing and make it hard for you to wear shorts or swimwear. In addition, they can cause pain and discomfort. Let us take care of them and get you back to doing the things you love.
About Varicose Veins
Symptoms
Venous insufficiency affects up to 25% of women and 10% of men. Symptoms include leg aches, fatigue, throbbing, heaviness, and night cramps. It can lead to unsightly bulging superficial veins and ulcers. Any of these can interfere with daily living and quality of life.
Diagnosis
In addition to a history and physical, vascular ultrasound exam is needed to look for the refluxing superficial veins.
Procedure
Venous Thermal Ablation is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for incompetent refluxing superficial veins of the legs. The procedure is performed as an outpatient by a physician trained in treating venous disease.
A small catheter is placed in the abnormal superficial vein after local anesthesia. The catheter is then carefully advanced to the highest point of reflux in the vein. The catheter is turned on and slowly pulled back through the entire length of the vein. Adequate heat energy applied to the vein causes vein contraction and closure.
The entire procedure usually lasts less than an hour and requires only local anesthesia.
Recovery
Locations
You can have this procedure at any of our three interventional radiology locations.
You will be encouraged to ambulate immediately after the procedure, and most people can resume normal activities the same day. Minimal bruising and mild soreness responds well to over the counter pain relievers. Medical grade compression stockings will need to be worn for about 2 weeks. Follow up ultrasound exam will be performed some time shortly after the procedure and then yearly thereafter. Initial clinical success reported in greater than 95% of patients.