Fortunately, treatment usually doesn't mean a hospital stay or a long, uncomfortable recovery. Thanks to less invasive procedures, varicose veins can generally be treated on an outpatient basis.
Ask your doctor if insurance will cover any of the cost of your treatment. If done for purely cosmetic reasons, you'll likely have to pay for the treatment of varicose veins yourself.
Self-care — such as exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting — can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse.
Wearing compression stockings all day is often the first approach to try before moving on to other treatments. They steadily squeeze your legs, helping veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. The amount of compression varies by type and brand.
You can buy compression stockings at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Prices vary. Prescription-strength stockings also are available.
If you don't respond to self-care or compression stockings, or if your condition is more severe, your doctor may suggest one of these varicose vein treatments:
Although the same vein may need to be injected more than once, sclerotherapy is effective if done correctly. Sclerotherapy doesn't require anesthesia and can be done in your doctor's office.
Ambulatory phlebectomy
- (fluh-BEK-tuh-me). Your doctor removes smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. Only the parts of your leg that are being pricked are numbed in this outpatient procedure. Scarring is generally minimal.
Endoscopic vein surgery.
- You might need this operation only in an advanced case involving leg ulcers if other techniques fail. Your surgeon uses a thin video camera inserted in your leg to visualize and close varicose veins and then removes the veins through small incisions. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
VenaSeal™
The VenaSeal™ closure system is the only non-tumescent, non-thermal, non-sclerosant procedure that uses a proprietary medical adhesive delivered endovenously to close the vein. This unique approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury when treating the small saphenous vein, which is a risk sometimes associated with certain thermal-based procedures. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the procedure is safe and effective. The procedure is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia, avoiding patient discomfort associated with multiple needle sticks.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Before the VenaSeal™ Closure Procedure:
You will have an ultrasound imaging exam of the leg that is to be treated. This exam is important for assessing the diseased superficial vein and planning the procedure.
During the Procedure:
Your doctor can discuss the procedure with you. A brief summary of what to expect is below:
•You may feel some minor pain or stinging with a needle stick to numb the site where the doctor will access your vein.
•Once the area is numb, your doctor will insert the catheter (i.e., a small hollow tube) into your leg. You may feel some pressure from the placement of the catheter.
•The catheter will be placed in specific areas along the diseased vein to deliver small amounts of the medical adhesive. You may feel some mild sensation of pulling or tugging. Ultrasound will be used during the procedure to guide and position the catheter.
•After treatment, the catheter is removed and a bandage placed over the puncture site.
After the Procedure:
You will be taken to the recovery area to rest.
Your doctor will discuss with you what observations will be performed following treatment.
VenaSeal™ is usually performed on an outpatient basis meaning you will be able to go home the day of your procedure.
Many patients notice immediate relief but you should allow 1-2 weeks before you see the full benefit. Your surgeon may encourage you to walk frequently and avoid standing or sitting for long periods immediately after your procedure. You can usually return to normal activities the day after your VenaSeal™procedure
Most patients are very pleased with the results of their radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins. As with any procedure there can be complications:
Potential Risks:
The VenaSeal™ procedure is minimally invasive and catheter-based. As such, it may involve the following risks. Your doctor can help you understand these risks.
- Allergic reaction to the VenaSeal adhesive
- Arteriovenous fistula (i.e., an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein)
- Bleeding from the access site
- Deep vein thrombosis (i.e., blood clot in the deep vein system)
- Edema (i.e., swelling) in the treated leg
- Hematoma (i.e., the collection of blood outside of a vessel)
- Hyperpigmentation (i.e., darkening of the skin)
- Infection at the access site
- Neurological deficits including stroke and death
- Non-specific mild inflammation of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue
- Pain
- Paresthesia (i.e., a feeling of tingling, pricking, numbness or burning)
- Phlebitis (i.e., inflammation of a vein)
- Pulmonary embolism (i.e., blockage of an artery in the lungs)
- Urticaria (i.e., hives) or ulceration may occur at the site of injection
- Vascular rupture and perforation
- Visible scarring
VenaSeal™ Closure System FAQ’s
- When will my symptoms improve?
Symptoms are caused by the diseased superficial vein. Thus, symptoms may improve as soon as the diseased vein is closed.
- When can I return to normal activity?
The VenaSeal™ closure system procedure is designed to reduce recovery time. Many patients return to normal activity immediately after the procedure. Your doctor can help you determine
when you can return to normal activity.
- Is the VenaSeal™ Closure System procedure painful?
Most patients feel little, if any, pain during the outpatient procedure.
- Is there bruising after the VenaSeal™ Closure System procedure?
Most patients report little-to-no bruising after the VenaSeal™ closure system procedure.
- What happens to the VenaSeal™ Closure System procedure adhesive?
Only a very small amount of VenaSeal™ closure system procedure adhesive is used to close the vein. Your body will naturally absorb the adhesive over time.
- How does the VenaSeal™ Closure System procedure differ from thermal energy procedures?
The VenaSeal™ closure system procedure uses an adhesive to close the superficial vein. Thermal energy procedures use heat to close the vein. The intense heat requires a large volume of numbing medicine, which is injected through many needle sticks. The injections may cause pain and bruising after the procedure.
ENDOVENOUS RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION PROCEDURE
ClosureFast™ Procedure
The ClosureFast™ procedure uses radiofrequency energy to precisely and effectively treat patients suffering from Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).
· The ClosureFast™ catheter precisely heats a 7 cm vein segment (or 3 cm for shorter, refluxing vein lengths) in one 20-second interval.
· The system’s controlled feedback mechanism monitors intravascular heat parameters in real time to automatically regulate therapeutic power
· The heat provided by the catheter shrinks and collapses the target vein, creating a fibrotic seal and occluding the vessel.
Minimally INVASIVE
The ClosureFast™ procedure eliminates the need for groin surgery and general anesthesia, and is generally performed using local anesthesia in a vein specialist’s office or an outpatient surgical facility. The procedure takes approximately 45-60 minutes and most patients typically spend two to three hours at the medical facility due to normal pre- and post-treatment procedures.
LESS PAIN, LESS BRUISING, FASTER RECOVERY
Studies show that the ClosureFast™ procedure is associated with lower rates of pain, bruising and complications and a faster improvement in patients’ quality of life when compared to 980 nm laser ablation.1 The average patient typically resumes normal activities within a few days following treatment, and most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within 1-2 weeks after the ClosureFast™ procedure.
CLINICAL OUTCOMES
A prospective, international, multi-center study showed that 91.9% of treated veins were closed 5 years following treatment with the ClosureFast™ procedure. The study used the Kaplan Meier analysis, a common statistic used for a variety of endpoints, including effectiveness of a treatment over defined period of time.
What happens during radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins?
Radio frequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to eliminate your varicose veins. It is usually done under local anaesthetic and takes 45 - 60 minutes. You surgeon will insert a tiny catheter through a small puncture in your lower leg. They will heat the enlarged vein causing it to shrink and close. Don’t worry, once the vein is closed blood will naturally reroute to other healthy veins. The puncture site will be bandaged and compression may be applied.
Going home after radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is usually performed on an outpatient basis meaning you will be able to go home the day of your procedure.
Many patients notice immediate relief but you should allow 1-2 weeks before you see the full benefit. Your surgeon may encourage you to walk frequently and avoid standing or sitting for long periods immediately after your procedure. You can usually return to normal activities the day after your radiofrequency ablation.
Most patients are very pleased with the results of their radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins. As with any procedure there can be complications:
- Vein puncture
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary embolism
- Phlebitis (leg inflammation)
- Hematoma (collection of blood)
- Infection
- Burning of the skin
This procedure may not be appropriate for patients with cardiovascular problems. Be sure and discuss radiofrequency ablation with your Consultant Cardiovascular Surgeon before investigating this procedure.
Therapy COMPARISON – WHY COMPROMISE?
Radiofrequency Ablation vs. Laser Ablation
FAQs
What are varicose Veins?
Varicose veins happen when small valves in veins break and cause the blood to flow in the wrong direction. This causes the veins to swell and backfill with stagnant blood. Varicose veins can appear as either bulging and ropelike, or small and threadlike. However, they can also develop deep under your skin where you are not able to see them. Varicose veins can cause aching, tired and swollen legs; create a burning, throbbing, or itching sensation; and cause muscle cramps and a general restlessness in your legs. Varicose veins require medical treatment.
What causes varicose Veins?
More than 80 percent of vein disease is genetic. Although pregnancy can aggravate vein disease, it doesn't actually cause it. Since varicose veins are mainly hereditary, this means they aren't caused by long periods of standing or crossing your legs when you sit down. Even so, long periods of standing, as well as obesity, can make the disease worse.
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are very small varicose veins. Although they don't usually cause discomfort, the deeper veins that often accompany them do. Many vein disease sufferers have a combination of both varicose and spider veins. While they may seek treatment for cosmetic improvement, many of our patients are looking for relief from pain.
Does Vein disease effect women and men equally?
More than half of all women will develop varicose vein disease over the course of their lifetime. However, 40 to 45 percent of all men will develop vein disease as well. The unique hormonal conditions that women face, such as pregnancy and menopause, often cause their veins to become worse. This is likely why more women than men seek treatment for their condition.
Do I need treatment for all my veins?
Varicose veins are a burden on your circulation. Because the blood inside them is travelling in the wrong direction, correcting the flow by eliminating venous congestion can only improve your circulation. In treating varicose veins, we focus only on the diseased veins and safeguard the healthy veins for normal circulation. Ultrasound guidance ensures that treatment is highly selective.
What happens to my veins after it have been treated?
The treated vein is closed off from the rest of the veins in your leg, allowing the body to naturally redirect the blood flow to healthy veins. The treated vein is then absorbed by your body over time.
Are there any complications of the treatments?
Side effects and complications are possible but not likely. Complications resulting from endovenous ablation treatment, VenaSeal and sclerotherapy are rare. You may experience some mild discomfort and bruising.
Is it ok to postpone treatment?
As you probably know, postponing any type of treatment can have drawbacks. Varicose vein disease is a progressive disease that will only get worse if left untreated. When making a decision about your varicose veins, keep in mind that the sooner you get your veins treated, the easier they are to treat and control. Our patients often remark, "I wish I had done this years ago."
How effective is surgery as treatment option?
The failure rate for vein surgery is 25 to 43 percent in one to five years. Stripping a varicose vein surgically is not the same as removing an appendix – a one-time-only procedure – because new varicose veins can develop in other places in the leg. Repeated surgery is not an acceptable solution for a recurrent problem.
Will I be hospitalised or take time off work after treatment?
Treatment is on an outpatient basis during convenient office visits. You can usually resume most of your day-to-day activities shortly after each session.