What is Varicose and Spider Veins?
Varicose veins– Are swollen, twisted veins that lie just under the skin and usually occur in the legs. They are a common condition caused by weak or damaged vein walls and valves. They may also form whenever blood pressure increases inside your veins.
Spider veins– Are small, damaged veins that can appear on the surface of the legs or face. They are usually not painful or harmful, but some people may wish to treat them for cosmetic reasons. Spider veins can be blue, purple, or red and may appear in the form of thin lines, webs, or branches.
Nonsurgical Procedures for Varicose and Spider Veins
- Lifestyle Changes-These might include proper diet, exercise, elevating the legs, and avoiding long periods of standing.
- Compression Stockings- A first line of defense to help push blood back up the leg towards the heart. The compression stockings do not treat the cause of the vein problem but may lessen symptoms.
- Ablation–Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure, using thin, flexible tubes called catheters or tiny needle injections. Through the catheter or the needle, the vein specialist delivers heat or chemicals to damage the tissue and close the vein.
- Sclerotherapy–One of three types of ablation our vein specialists offer, it is the most commonly used procedure to treat varicose and spider veins and is performed by injecting a solution directly into your vein.
- VenaSeal– Uses a small catheter and ultrasound guidance to inject a medical adhesive that closes your vein. Through this process, the abnormal blood flow backwards through the legs is eliminated, and over time the glue-like material is absorbed by the body.
What types Vein Care treatments are available?
- Endovenous Laser Treatment of Refluxing Varicose Veins– is a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided technique used for treating varicose veins using laser energy.
- Endovenous Radiofrequency Treatment of Refluxing Varicose Veins– is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood will re-route itself to other healthy veins.
- Pharmacomechanical Ablation of Refluxing Varicose Veins– treatment uses a rotating metal tip to ‘scratch’ the lining of the vein and inject a liquid chemical called sclerosant into the vein at the same time. The sclerosant causes the vein to stick together.
- Duplex Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy- the duplex ultrasound technology is used in locating the affected veins that are not visible. Is especially effective for those who have already received varicose vein surgery at one time and have recurrent veins.
- Surface Macrosclerotherapy- method of treatment of larger veins that uses liquid sclerosing agents.
- Microsclerotherapy for Spider Veins– procedure which involves injecting a liquid into the veins which destroys them and causes them to disappear over time.
- Tumescent Enhanced Sclerotherapy- provides immediate compression around the vein, thereby helping to maintain the sclerosing agent in the portion of the vein in which it was injected.
- Clarivein (mechanico-chemical ablation or MOCA)- combines mechanical endothelial damage, using a rotating wire, with the infusion of a liquid sclerosant.
- Classical Vein Ligation and Stripping- minor surgery used to remove a damaged vein and prevent complications of vein damage
- Microphlebectomy- removal of a large or medium sized varicose vein through a tiny incision in the leg
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