What Is the Best Treatment for Varicose Veins?

The best treatment for varicose veins depends on a number of factors and it differs from individual to individual. Therefore, what may work for one may not necessarily work for another. For example, while ultrasound guided sclerotherapy works for some, others may have better results with microincisional phlebectomy.

If you live in the St. Louis area, Midwest Vein Care can help you to determine which vein treatments would work best for you. We will discuss the many different types of varicose vein treatments that are available, and help you determine which treatment option is likely to produce the best results. Rest assured that you are in safe hands with Midwest Vein Care.

To learn more about treatment for varicose veins, call us at 636-536-0241.

What Kinds Of Treatment For Varicose Veins Are Available?

Endovenous Laser Ablation
If your varicose veins are large, symptomatic, or bulging; or if you have incompetent saphenous veins, then endovenous laser ablation may be an excellent treatment choice. By utilizing color flow duplex ultrasound we can determine whether you have incompetent valves in the axial veins, resulting in back flow of the venous blood, bulging ropey veins and chronic venous insufficiency. In order to remove the leaking, incompetent axial vein, we can use endovenous laser thermal ablation. During this technique, a laser fiber is introduced inside the vein through a tiny incision. The laser creates intense local heating that collapses and destroys the vein, and then over time the body will resorb and eliminate the vein.

The technique is done with local anesthesia in our office, leaves minimal if any scarring, and you will be able to rapidly return to all normal activities. Endovenous ablation is one of the few treatments for varicose veins that most insurance companies will cover.

Microincisional Phlebectomy
This treatment is for large, ropey, bulging varicose veins. In the office, under local anesthesia, tiny micro punctures are made to the skin, and the lumpy vein is extracted with the help of a tiny surgical hook. This extricated vein is removed, while the part of the vein that remains inside the body clots off and is gradually resorbed.

In this varicose vein removal technique, sutures are seldom needed. The doctor will ask you to wear a compression bandage for a day and continue with compression medical stockings for ten days to promote healing and minimize discomfort.

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
This treatment for varicose veins is also used for large, palpable varicose veins, as well as certain refluxing axis veins.  It is utilized when certain veins are not clearly visible or when other treatments are not an option. This varicose vein treatment technique is an excellent tool because the sclerosing foam solution is thicker than liquid sclerosing solutions and is more visible on ultrasound. It can be placed in the vein with ultrasound guidance and followed to precise locations, including veins that are very tortuous and in hard to access locations.

An ultrasound scan of the affected region is used to guide a catheter into the vein. Once it reaches the spot the doctor has marked out, he then injects the foam sclerosant through the catheter into the vein…allowing the foam to reach certain designated vein targets. The sclerosant foam will then cause the vein to spasm and collapse, the walls of the vein to be irreversibly injured, allowing the vein to become a fibrotic scarred cord that will be eventually resorbed by the body.

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is another one of the common varicose vein treatments. This technique is also known as direct vision liquid or foam sclerotherapy.  In Sclerotherapy, a sclerosing liquid or foam is directly injected into the offending varicose vein. This irritates the lumen, causing it to close and then be resorbed by the body.  You may need multiple sclerotherapy sessions to get the best results. We will advise wearing compression hosiery for approximately one week after treatment, although you may immediately resume normal activities.

Laser Vein Treatment
This treatment for varicose veins is mostly used to treat spider veins and superficial veins on the face. However, it can also be used to treat varicose veins when sclerotherapy has been ruled out. In laser vein treatment a beam of focused laser light is directed at the varicose veins. The veins absorb the heat and are sealed close. The surrounding tissues later reabsorb the scar tissue. Surrounding tissues are not damaged. This treatment is most effective on spider veins. A topical anesthetic may be applied.

Another treatment for varicose veins is IPL.  IPL or Intense Pulsated Light treatment is similar to laser vein treatment but in the former, the light consists of multiple wavelengths.

Open Vein Surgery or Vein Stripping
Vein stripping is an old technique where the varicose veins and refluxing axial trunk veins are removed from the body by standard surgery. This technique is rarely recommended anymore. This is a procedure using larger incisions, usually at a surgery center utilizing general anesthesia. Vein stripping is considered much more invasive, with more significant risk, downtime and potentially poor cosmetic outcomes.

What Type of Treatment for Varicose Veins is Best for You?

The type of varicose vein treatment that is best for you will depend on your unique circumstances and the presentation of your current varicose vein disease. For example, important factors include:

• Are the presenting veins large and bulging or small and superficial?
• Are there associated signs and symptoms like swelling, skin changes, ulceration, pain, fatiguing or restless legs?
• Do you have a history of a clotting disorder, or have you had a deep venous thrombosis?
• Have you failed previous treatment or had significant recurrence?
• What previous treatments have you had for your venous disease?

In order to determine which treatment for varicose veins is best for you, you should speak to a phlebologist. The doctor will run some tests and analyze the data to determine what the best treatment for your varicose veins is.

Contact Us to Learn More About the Various Treatments for Varicose Veins

If you would like to learn more about the various types of varicose vein treatments available, and determine the best option, please contact our vein treatment office in St. Louis at 636-536-0241.