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This is our new section on your treatment options for vein disease. Please take a moment to review these informative topics.
The content on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical opinion. Please consult your physician prior to making any treatment decisions.
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Conservative Treatment:
Conservative treatment refers to the fact that medications are not used to treat varicose veins. With conservative treatment, we review your lifestyle and occupation and make recommendations to reduce factors that lead to varicose veins. In addition, other lifestyle modifications may be suggested. Graduated compression stockings that help promote the flow of blood from the ankle to the heart may also be prescribed. While graduated compression stockings will not remove abnormal veins, they may help decrease symptoms and are well suited for women who are pregnant or patients who are unable to undergo medical therapy due to other illnesses.
The content on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical opinion. Please consult your physician prior to making any treatment decisions.
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Sclerotherapy:
Sclerotherapy is the most commonly used treatment for varicose veins and spider veins under 5mm. In sclerotherapy, a solution is injected with a tiny needle into the vein without the need of anaesthetic. This solution causes inflammation of the vein walls and allows the vein walls to stick to one another. The solution and the use of a compression stocking, effectively prevents the vein from working and it stops carrying blood. The vein therefore disappears with time.
Sclerotherapy may be the first treatment used to remove unwanted veins, or may be used after more advanced treatments to treat any residual veins. Sclerotherapy is very effective for certain types of veins but veins will reappear if the underlying cause, such as a faulty valve is not treated. Sclerotherapy is associated with brown discolouration of the vein that may take up to one year to disappear and usually requires repeated treatments. It patients may have an allergy to the solution.
Advantages:
Quick with little discomfort and few side effects.
Disadvantages:
Brownish discolouration of treated vein can persist for one year or longer. Requires repeated treatment. Can have allergic reactions and rarely causes skin ulcers.
The content on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical opinion. Please consult your physician prior to making any treatment decisions.
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Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy:
The Medical Vein Associates are experts in the use of ultrasound and xrays for the treatment of venous disease and do this on a daily basis in their hospital practice. Using ultrasound, a solution that causes inflammation of the vein walls is directly injected into the vein. Alternatively, a "foam" may be used. These solutions and foam, allow the treatment of deeper veins that can't be seen or felt and allow the treatment of larger superficial veins on the skin surface. Patients usually wear compression stockings after treatment to ensure that the vein walls touch one another and the vein is sealed off. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy requires more expertise than conventional sclerotherapy. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy has been shown to have very good results, especially in Europe where there is more experience with this form of treatment. Often with this form of treatment, as the larger veins are treated, the smaller spider and reticular veins will often disappear. The reactions and the rare development of skin ulcers.
Advantages:
No scar. Smaller veins often disappear.
Disadvantages:
Brownish discolouration may persist. Allergic reactions may occur. Skin ulcers may rarely form.
The content on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical opinion. Please consult your physician prior to making any treatment decisions. |
Ambulatory Phlebectomy:
In ambulatory phlebectomy, freezing is applied to the skin, and a small incision (2mm) is made. The vein is then removed with hooks and clamps. The number of incisions depends on the number of veins to be removed. Often the incisions are closed with a special strip. Ambulatory phlebectomy is a very effective technique for veins in the foot or skin surface if the larger veins are normal, and it may be used after sclerotherapy or EVLT, to treat any remaining varicose veins.
Advantages:
Permanent vein removal. Scar barely visible.
Disadvantages:
Requires incision. Only certain veins can be treated.
The content on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical opinion. Please consult your physician prior to making any treatment decisions. |
EVLT:
EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy) is an advanced technique used to treat varicose veins. This treatment is best suited for the larger superficial veins of the leg that have leaky valves. These veins, often the saphenous veins, can be permanently sealed with this technique. EVLT is usually performed in a doctor's office and requires only local anaesthesia. In this technique, a tiny laser is inserted into the faulty leg vein and with the laser, the vein is effectively sealed. This technique only requires a tiny nick in the skin, which does not need stitches and takes about 1 hour. Patients can return to work the same day. This technique is up to 98% successful if performed by skilled individuals. EVLT replaces the technique of vein stripping, which requires a large incision, general anaesthetic and often a hospital stay and all the risks associated with this procedure.
EVLT Advantages:
No hospital stay. No general an aesthesia. No stitches. No scar. Close to 100% success
Disadvantages:
Not covered by all insurance plans (though most do cover it, and we accept most insurance plans). Long term experience only 6 years, but appears superior to surgery.
The content on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical opinion. Please consult your physician prior to making any treatment decisions. |
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