About one out of every five adults in the U.S. has varicose veins, according to the National Library of Medicine, and far more have spider veins, those tiny, purplish-red veins that look like wispy spider webs when they form in clusters. For some people, these diseased veins cause few symptoms beyond their unattractive appearance, while others may have pain, heaviness, cramping, fatigue and intense itching in the areas that are affected by the veins.
Regardless of whether varicose veins cause noticeable symptoms, there’s no denying they’re a sign of underlying vein problems. In varicose veins, the tiny valves inside the vein stop functioning properly, allowing blood to pool up inside the vein. As blood collects, it causes the vein to bulge and enlarges over time, resulting in the ugly, bluish appearance that’s typical of varicose veins.
Vein Treatment and Recovery
Treating larger varicose veins used to mean painful vein surgery that typically required a week or more recovery time, not to mention large incisions and scars. The good news is, today there are many minimally-invasive vein treatment options that don’t require major surgery, including options that can be completed in an hour or less using local anesthesia. Plus, since these techniques use very small incisions, minimally-invasive vein surgery doesn’t require a long period of recovery – in most cases, you’ll be back to your normal routines in a day or less. And of course, small incisions mean tiny scars that are often so small, they’re not noticeable to anyone but you and your doctor.
As a top provider of minimally-invasive vein surgery, Vein & Vascular Institute offers an array of cutting-edge options that can be optimized for each patient’s specific needs for the best possible results and the speediest recovery. Popular varicose vein treatment options include:
Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
EVLT uses a super-thin laser probe to “scar” vein walls so they shrink and close off to the flow of blood. After treatment, there may be some mild tenderness, tightness or bruising that typically resolve within a few days. Most people resume their normal activities within a day or less.
ClosureFastTM
ClosureFastTM is an innovative approach that uses radiofrequency energy delivered to the diseased vein through a tiny incision. As with EVLT, ClosureFastTM works by shrinking the vein and preventing blood flow. Most treatments are performed in about 20-30 minutes and patients resume their regular routines within 24 hours.
Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy uses a series of very small incisions to gently remove a diseased vein. No sutures are required, and most patients can get back to their regular routines within 24 hours.
For any of these procedures, you’ll need to restrict heavy weight-bearing activities while the area heals, but you can continue your daily routines without interruption in most cases.
Schedule a vein evaluation for better vein health.
At Vein & Vascular Institute, we’re always exploring new treatment options to help our patients get the best and most appropriate treatment based on their unique needs. In addition to state-of-the-art varicose vein procedures, we also treat spider veins – and we can help you learn techniques to keep your veins as healthy as possible, especially as you get older and vein problems become more common. Don’t suffer with ugly, diseased veins. Let us help you improve your vein health. Call Vein & Vascular Institute at 856-309-8346 and schedule your vein evaluation today.