People who have a high risk of developing varicose veins or already have them can choose from a several safe and effective treatment options.
Treatments for varicose veins have come a long way and where surgery was once the go-to option, today there are other less-invasive procedures available that don’t require general anaesthetic or a hospital stay.
Many patients became accustomed to simply living with varicose veins instead of treating them because of the lengthy recovery times and the high likelihood of the veins returning anyway. Fortunately, this has all changed for the better and everyone can have healthier legs that look great.
Modern Varicose Vein Treatments
Today’s treatments are safe and fast. In fact, since modern procedures are minimally invasive, they have become walk-in-walk-out procedures. The term ‘minimally invasive’ means that very small incisions and needles are required to complete the treatment, which is why patients can go home directly after their appointment.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
Of the many treatments available today, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is the most popular. To complete this procedure, the area is numbed using a local anaesthetic. Then, a small catheter will be inserted into the vein so that a sealant can be injected into it.
This sealant helps the walls of the vein to stick together, which causes the vein to collapse. Once the vein has collapsed, it will be absorbed into the tissue surrounding it and your blood flow will be redirected to a healthier vein in that area.
A few weeks after your treatment at a vein clinic such as The DOC, you won’t be able to see any traces of the vein on the surface of your skin, leaving you with smoother, healthier-looking legs.
Endovenous Laser Ablation
During this treatment, a laser is used to heat up and seal any diseased veins – no chemical agents are required for this procedure. However, the heat from the laser will still need to be applied using a thin catheter.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This specific treatment uses the heat from radiofrequency waves to close off the affected veins. Lasers and chemical agents are not required for this procedure. Radiofrequency ablation is ideal for larger varicose veins but still won’t require any significant recovery time since it’s not surgery.
Venaseal™
Lastly, there is also a technique that uses medical superglue to close varicose veins in the legs. The adhesive has been tested so it is both a safe and effective treatment. The superglue sets within a few minutes and there’s no need to undergo any prolonged heating processes, which is something that many patients prefer.
Whatever treatment you decide on, make a point of finding a reputable vein clinic that has proven experience and favourable patient reviews before you make an appointment. Even though these procedures are minimally invasive, you still want to make sure that you are receiving the very best care and results. Not just any doctor should be performing these types of treatments so take the time to do your research.
