January 25 , 2010
Treatment for Varicose and Spider Veins Available
Varicose veins and spider veins are actually quite common for both men and women. In fact, over 40 million people have varicose veins in the U.S. alone — about 25% of women and 15% of men.
Fox Valley Cardiovascular Consultants is pleased to offer endovenous laser therapy--a quick, minimally invasive alternative treatment for varicose veins. It leaves no scarring and is performed under local anesthesia in our office. It also features a short, relatively pain-free recovery time. Prior to treatment, a non-invasive diagnostic test using an ultrasound machine is completed to map out the vein to be treated.
The treatment itself takes less than an hour. First, the area to be treated is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, a thin laser fiber is inserted into the vein using a special tube called a sheath. Once the fiber is positioned properly, laser energy is applied as the physician slowly pulls the fiber through the length of the vein. Delivered in short pulses, the laser energy heats the vein from within, causing it to shrink, collapse and seal shut. Once it’s sealed, healthy veins take over and redirect bloodflow back toward the heart.
Walking immediately after the procedure is encouraged, and you can return to normal daily activity right away. However, strenuous physical activity should be avoided for 3 to 4 weeks. You may experience some bruising or soreness for 3 to 5 days. Walking or taking over-the-counter pain relievers helps relieve any remaining discomfort.
There are many benefits to endovenous laser therapy for varicose veins, including:
After endovenous laser therapy, you’ll need to wear compression stockings for about 1 week. You should walk immediately after the procedure. And returning to normal daily activity is also encouraged, though vigorous physical activity such as visits to the gym should be avoided.
You may have some bruising and soreness for 7 to 10 days after the procedure. Taking over-the-counter, non-aspirin oral pain relievers as needed is allowed and will reduce the pain and bruising.
Clinical results that document the success of endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins have been published. Still, as with any medical treatment, endovenous laser therapy has certain risks that your physician will explain in terms of how they apply to your individual case. Endovenous laser therapy successfully treats the cause of most varicose veins, venous reflux. But keep in mind that additional therapy is needed in some cases. Most dermatologists provide follow-up therapy for varicose veins.
The laser energy heats the vein walls, which damages them and makes them shrink. This causes the faulty vein to collapse and stops blood from flowing through it. This is no reason for concern, however, because your body utomatically uses the healthy veins remaining in your legs to return blood to the heart.
There are potential complications with any medical procedure. But only minimal complications have been experienced with the endovenous laser procedure. Potential complications include: vessel perforation, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, hematoma, infection, paresthesia (numbness or tingling) and skin burns.
Insurance coverage for the procedure is determined on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, insurance companies decide whether or not to cover treatment based on medical necessity including a diagnosis of venous insufficiency. We recommend that you discuss your insurance coverage with your physician at the time of your initial consultation.
Success rates have been as high as those for the conventional surgical approach, which is accepted as the ”gold standard” treatment. Endovenous laser therapy generally treats most varicose veins successfully, but additional therapy is needed in some cases.
For a consultation and screening, please call 630.806.2939.