What is Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins. Varicose veins can occur anywhere in the body, but they are most frequent in the legs. Varicose veins are not a life-threatening medical problem. They can, however, be uncomfortable and lead to more significant issues. Increased blood pressure in the veins causes varicose veins. Varicose veins develop in the veins near the skin’s surface (superficial). Blood flows towards the heart through one-way valves in the veins. Blood can accumulate in the veins when the valves become weaker or broken. The veins widen as a result of this.https://youtu.be/iNJfgvfrAfM

SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSIS


Varicose veins are large, rope-like veins when are often one-quarter inch or larger in diameter and possess diseases valves. They sometimes appear to twist and bulge. Some people with varicose veins will not experience any pain or discomfort while others are more severely affected – a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency.

Symptoms that have been associated with chronic venous insufficiency/varicose veins of the lower extremities include:

    Pain

  • Aching and uncomfortable “fatigued” legs
  • Feeling of heaviness in the legs
  • Swollen feet and ankles
  • Throbbing or burning in your legs
  • Itchy, dry and thin skin over the affected vein
  • Brownish skin changes
  • Muscle cramping in your legs (particularly at night)
  • Bleeding and/or ulceration


Typically if you have these symptoms, they are exacerbated by standing up for long periods of time and will be worse in warm weather. Varicose veins most often develop on the legs, usually on the back of your calf or on the inside of your leg. Although they can sometimes appear in other parts of your body, such as:

  • Pelvis
  • Esophagus
  • Uterus

Typically if you have these symptoms, they are exacerbated by standing up for long periods of time and will be worse in warm weather. Varicose veins most often develop on the legs, usually on the back of your calf or on the inside of your leg. Although they can sometimes appear in other parts of your body, such as:

  • Pelvis
  • Esophagus
  • Uterus

Treatment

Conservative Treatment. (Exercise & Stockings)

Historically, patients with varicose veins were recommended conservative treatment options. Conservative treatment options refer to a non-invasive form of treatment, where medications and surgery are not used to treat varicose veins. Patients can make lifestyle changes, such as eating less, exercising more and wearing support hoses(stockings). This regimen has proven helpful in reducing leg pain and further deterioration of the venous system. Conservative treatment will not remove existing abnormal veins, but it may be the treatment choice for patients that may not be able to undergo other treatment methods. There’s no way to prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone can reduce the risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones.

Ligation & Stripping(Surgery)

Its old tradiotional method of ligation of safenofemoral junction & stripping of great safenous vein. Nowadays, this method is less popular, as it requires long hospital stay, long recovery period with high recurrence rates.

Ligation & Stripping(Surgery)

Its old tradiotional method of ligation of safenofemoral junction & stripping of great safenous vein. Nowadays, this method is less popular, as it requires long hospital stay, long recovery period with high recurrence rates.

Foam Scleotherapy

Foam Sclerotherapy is commonly used for treating spider veins and small varicose veins. It involves the injection of foam made up from a FDA-approved sclerosing solution, which causes chemical endovenous ablation of the vein, which collapses and diminishes in appearance. Compression hose are highly recommended post-treatment . The advantages are no scarring and smaller veins disappear, while the downside is brownish discolorations, allergic reactions and the rare development skin ulcers.

Saphenous Ablation

This minimally-invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using ultrasound guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the surgeon inserts a thin catheter into the vein and guides it up the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside of the vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed. Reflux within the great saphenous vein leads to pooling in the visible varicose veins below. By closing the great saphenous vein, the twisted and varicosed branch veins, which are close to the skin, shrink and improve in appearance. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg, re-establishing normal flow. Saphenous ablation is done by two methods

  1. ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION.
  2. ENDOVENOUS RADIOFREQUENCY CLOSURE.


Saphenous Ablation

This minimally-invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using ultrasound guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the surgeon inserts a thin catheter into the vein and guides it up the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside of the vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed. Reflux within the great saphenous vein leads to pooling in the visible varicose veins below. By closing the great saphenous vein, the twisted and varicosed branch veins, which are close to the skin, shrink and improve in appearance. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg, re-establishing normal flow. Saphenous ablation is done by two methods

  1. ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION.
  2. ENDOVENOUS RADIOFREQUENCY CLOSURE.

ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION.

Principle The EVLT™ Procedure deals with the incompetence of the greater saphenous veins. Unlike surgical stripping, EVLT permanently closes off the vein while leaving it in place. It uses the energy from an 1480 nm diode laser delivered by a fine fiber-optic probe. As it is only the probe and a slim sheath which need to enter the vein the whole procedure is performed via a tiny skin nick, so there will be no post operative scarring. The probe is guided into place using ultrasound and the procedure is performed under strictly local anesthetic of a similar type used by dentist to numb the treatment area.

Benefits of EVLT:

  • A simple procedure
  • Performed under local anesthetic
  • Minimally invasive, so minimal risk of scarring and postoperative infection
  • Less than one hour examination and treatment time
  • Rapid recovery with reduced postoperative pain
  • Normal activities can be resumed immediately Indication: Treatment for the greater saphenous vein insufficiency
  • Excellent clinical and aesthetic results

 

ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION.

Principle: Local or regional anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area. A thin catheter is then inserted into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs. Your symptoms should also improve noticeably following the procedure. After the catheter is removed, a bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped for a day to aid healing. It should be followed by compression stockings and to refrain from long periods of standing for a few weeks which help in speedy recovery. Most patients can resume normal activity immediately.

ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION.

Principle: Local or regional anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area. A thin catheter is then inserted into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs. Your symptoms should also improve noticeably following the procedure. After the catheter is removed, a bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped for a day to aid healing. It should be followed by compression stockings and to refrain from long periods of standing for a few weeks which help in speedy recovery. Most patients can resume normal activity immediately.

Venaseal Glue Embolization

The VenaSeal treatment is inserting a very little amount of VenaSeal vein glue into the vein through a small tube. Blood is instantly rerouted through other healthy veins in the leg once the affected vein is blocked. VenaSeal, unlike other treatments, does not necessitate a regional nerve block or huge amounts of anesthesia.

Further more, no pre-procedure medicines are required, and patients can resume their normal activities immediately following treatment. Unlike heat-based techniques like endovenous laser or radiofrequency ablation, there is no risk of skin burns or nerve damage with VenaSeal.

VenaSeal does not require any immediate post-treatment pain medication or the use of expensive compression stockings.

Patient Reviews

FAQ

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What are varicose and spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged “rope-like” veins — blood vessels — that are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They can be flesh-colored, dark purple, or blue, and often look like a cluster of grapes. They are commonly found on the back of the calves or the inside of the legs. However, they can form anywhere on the legs, from groin to ankle.
Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller and closer to the surface of the skin. They are often red or blue, and look like tree branches or spider webs. They can occur anywhere on the legs, and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin. They don’t bulge like varicose veins, but are often more noticeable.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins result from abnormal inner walls or abnormal valves in these blood vessels. Blood is carried through arteries from the heart to the rest of the body, and returned to the heart through the body’s veins, called the venous system. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps, preventing blood from backing up and pooling. When these one-way valves don’t work properly, blood then may flow backwards, causing the veins to dilate (enlarge) and become varicose. The technical terms for this condition are venous reflux or venous insufficiency.
How common are varicose veins and spider veins?
More than 80 million Americans suffer from disease of the veins. About 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men suffer from some form of vein problem. Varicose veins affect 1 out of every 2 people older than the age of 50.
What are the risk factors for varicose veins and spider veins?span>
Common risk factors for varicose and spider veins include:

  • Increasing age
  • Family history
  • Pregnancy and hormonal changes
  • Obesity
  • Prolonged standing
  • Prior deep venous thrombosis