Doctors can use laser ablation vein treatment for cosmetic reasons. However, doctors mostly use it to relieve symptoms of chronic venous disease, such as

Some types of veins, including the perforator veins, pelvic veins, and truncal veins are only visible when using duplex ultrasound. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are clearly visible as they bulge through the surface of the skin when standing, and conceal themselves when lying down – like on the table.

As such, the bulging veins will need to be marked with a skin marker while you are standing up, allowing the physician to trace the exact position of the veins when you lie on the table. This is done by visual inspection of the varicose veins, palpation, and trans illumination of the skin, before tracing with a marker.

The area of procedure will then be cleaned, and the necessary preparations made with surgical drapes. There are some instances when phlebectomy is performed in conjunction with other treatments. If this is the case, phlebectomy will be performed last.

Using a sharp blade, the physician will make tiny incisions (2-3mm) over the veins in the marked areas.

A delicate hook-like instrument is then used to pull the varicose vein up through the skin, segment by segment. The vein is held and gently ‘milked’ out through the small cut until a sufficient amount has been pulled out, after which it is removed and discarded.

The entire process is relatively painless because the site has been numbed.

We recommend graduated compression stockings to be worn on a daily basis. Compression stockings are not intended to cure the underlying venous disease, but are effective in alleviating symptoms associated with venous disease. Compression stockings use graduated compression, which is highest at the ankle and helps prevent pooling of blood in the leg veins, which improves overall circulation.

Anti-inflammatory medications can treat pain and inflammation associated with venous disease. Generally, Tylenol or ibuprofen is recommended, however you must check with your physician prior to taking these medications.

You may also lie down and elevate your legs for a short period of time several times a day to reduce pressure in the leg veins and assist with blood flow.

Vasculera® is a prescription medication that reduces severity of symptoms associated with venous disease and also helps to heal ulcers. At present, it is not covered by insurance, and you have to pay out-of-pocket for the medication.

First, it is important to note that there are three kinds of veins in the body: deep veins located between muscle groups and carry most of the blood to the heart; superficial veins found just below the skin; and perforating veins that connect the superficial veins to the deep veins. All leg veins contain valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards.

Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves do not function properly, reducing the efficiency of the veins to carry blood back to the heart and allowing blood to flow backwards towards the legs. Valve malfunction occurs due to damage to vein wall or from venous thrombosis.

Compression bandages work by exerting pressure on the superficial veins to push blood into the deep veins. This facilitates blood delivery to the heart from the legs. This reduces the pooling effect of blood in superficial veins that manifests as inflammation and swelling. However, prior to initiating compression therapy, you must discuss with your physician whether it is the right treatment for you.

Compression therapy is often recommended following ablation, sclerotherapy and phlebecotmy.

The compression systems used can contain both elastic and inelastic materials. Typical multi-layer systems operate as inelastic systems, though they contain primarily elastic components. Inelastic bandages have greater stiffness than elastic bandages, which is measured by assessing the pressure at the interface between the skin and the treatment when the patient is lying down and standing (static stiffness index – SSI). The difference between these two measurements is the SSI.

Effective compression treatment is achieved by accurately applying the bandage system to provide sufficient compression at rest and still work effectively when moving. All compression systems provide this, so your choice of bandage and hosiery system depends on your preference and specialist recommendation.

While compression treatments are highly effective, they are not recommended for patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as it can cause gangrene, loss of the leg, and even heart failure. As such, consult Dr. Haimesh Shah to determine if compression stockings or compression therapy are right for you.

To learn more, please call our office @ 1.844.77.VEINS or conveniently contact us online here.

A few years back, the only way to treat varicose veins was through a surgical procedure known as “stripping,” where the physician made cuts in order to remove the affected leg veins while under general anesthesia.

Today, stripping is mostly a thing of the past with less invasive treatments like laser, injections, and radiofrequency ablation taking over. These procedures are performed by different specialists, including phlebologists (vein specialists), vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons.

This is usually the first option for treating small varicose veins, reticular veins, and spider veins. The process involves injecting a chemical irritant – sclerosant – into the vein to destroy and scar the inner lining and cause it to collapse.

Once the vein collapses, blood is forced to flow through alternative, healthier veins. Any sealed veins are gradually absorbed by your body and disappear after a while.

This technique is used to treat varicose veins by transmitting radiofrequency energy causing it to heat up, thicken, and collapse. The vein is usually numbed, so you feel no pain or discomfort. Eventually, the damaged vein is absorbed into the body and disappears.

This procedure is similar to RF ablation. However, the physician uses laser energy to generate heat and scar the inside of the veins, cause it to collapse and close. Once scar tissue develops, the vein is gradually absorbed and begins to fade.