For some people, varicose veins are a cosmetic annoyance. For others, they cause considerable discomfort. One of the techniques vascular surgeons use to eradicate these troublesome vessels is endovenous thermal ablation.
What Exactly Are Varicose Veins?
They’re defective blood vessels that appear red, blue, or purple, typically on the legs. Veins return the blood to your heart. Valves in veins act as flaps to stop blood from flowing backward as it travels upward. When valves weaken, blood leaks back into veins and pools, causing a disorder known as venous insufficiency. As the pool grows, it causes the vessels to expand until they become varicose veins.
According to womenshealth.gov, as many as 55 percent of U.S. women and up to 45 percent of men have vein disorders. Among individuals at least 50, half suffer from varicose veins. Fortunately, there are a number of types of vein treatment available.
What is Endovenous Thermal Ablation?
It’s one of several treatments that have taken the place of vein stripping. Endovenous ablation is the treatment of choice for individuals who want to get rid of varicose veins caused by defective valves in the Saphenous veins, the two major veins that run up your leg. Vein doctors usually provide this treatment at a vein clinic under local anesthetic.
This procedure utilizes very intense heat on an affected vein. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that there are two types of ablation. One uses laser energy, while the other is based on radiofrequency energy.
The first two steps in this procedure are scheduling a consultation with a vascular surgeon, then undergoing an ultrasound to find an appropriate point of access to treat the vein. During an ablation, the physician punctures the varicose vein, then threads a catheter through the vessel to the groin. The catheter delivers intense heat to the defective vessel, causing the destruction of the vein, which eventually disappears.
Most patients can drive themselves home after the procedure and return to normal routines immediately. A majority experience nothing more than mild bruising and some tenderness after this treatment.
Benefits
According to the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School, ablation offers many benefits as a Jersey vein treatment. It’s a minimally invasive way to get rid of varicose veins that use local instead of general anesthesia. Patients can expect a fast recovery with no significant scars. Discomfort and risk of infection are minimal. This procedure also enjoys a high success rate and provides a quick end to discomfort.
It’s important for prospective patients to keep in mind, however, that no treatment for this disorder will prevent the development of future varicose veins.