Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are abnormally dilated, twisted spherical veins caused by incompetent venous valves. Varicose veins are bluish-purple or red in color. They always almost affect legs and feet. They can be painful or itchy. Spider veins, which may surround varicose veins, are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your skin’s surface.

Who needs Varicose veins treatment?

People who have an achy or heavy feeling in the legs, Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs, worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time, itching around one or more of the veins or changes in skin color around a varicose vein should go for a varicose vein’s treatment.

When to see a specialist?

A person who experiences swelling and discomfort of the legs, discoloration of the skin in the lower leg, or hardness and tenderness of the lower leg should consult a doctor to avoid progression to mental and physical health problems.

Procedures

• Sclerotherapy- In this procedure, a chemical is injected into the vein. The chemical irritates and scars the vein. This causes the veins to close off and fade away.

• Surface treatments (laser/micro electric) – Surface laser and micro electric treatments are used to treat smaller veins near the skin surface. In this procedure, the heat from a small burst of laser light or electric current makes the vein fade away.

• Phlebectomy- A phlebectomy is also used to treat smaller veins near this skin surface. In this procedure, a tiny cut is made in the skin over the vein then, the vein is pulled out and removed.

• Endovenous ablation- Endovenous ablation is a procedure to treat deeper varicose veins. In this procedure, a flexible tube called a catheter, is inserted through a small cut into the vein. The catheter is used to send heat from either laser light or radio waves into the vein. The heat closes off the vein and causes it to fade away.

• Vein stripping- In this procedure usually two or three cuts are made in the skin over the damaged vein, then, the vein is tied off and pulled out through the lower cut.

Recovery

After the procedure, your leg may feel stiff or sore for the first 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor may give you pain medicine for this. You can expect your leg to be very bruised at first. This is a normal part of recovery and may last 2 to 3 weeks.

Risks

There are several risks include:

• Blood clots

• Development of infections at the site of the incision

• Nerve injury at the treatment site

• Pronounced scarring

• Permanent vein injury

• Heavy bleeding

Benefits of Varicose veins treatment

Treating veins can improve your confidence and free you from swelling, discoloration, and bulge veins. Moreover, Varicose vein treatment reduces or eliminates burning, itching, tiredness, and heaviness in your legs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Varicose veins?

   Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that lie just under the skin and usually occur in the legs.

2. How is varicose veins surgery performed?

   Your doctor makes a tiny cut in your skin near the varicose vein. Then the surgeon inserts a small tube called a catheter into the vein. A device at the tip of the tube heats up the inside of the vein and closes it off.

3. Is Varicose veins treatment painful?

   Usually, local anesthesia and a mild sedative are combined for this procedure. With anesthesia, you should not expect to experience pain from the treatment.

4. How long does varicose veins treatment take?

   Varicose veins treatment usually takes 30-60 minutes. Patients should expect their legs to be wrapped after the procedure. However, within 24 hours, you will be able to resume your daily routine as normal.

5. What are the risks of varicose veins treatment?

   While varicose veins treatment is safe, various risks include infection, pain over the vein, bleeding, bruising, nerve damage, redness or swelling of the vein blood clots etc. and will be discussed by your doctor before treatment.