I was told I need varicose vein surgery. Is there any other solution?
Is varicose vein surgery or vein stripping the only option for treatment?
You may have heard from a friend or family member of their experience with surgical vein stripping and perhaps this has turned you away from seeking treatment of your varicose veins. Many people cringe at the thought of an invasive surgical procedure.
There’s good news.
Modern treatment of varicose veins does not involve surgical removal of leg veins with need for anesthesia, multiple incisions, and prolonged recovery. The technology of vein treatment has come a long way in the past 18-20 years. Modern treatment of varicose veins has become minimally invasive with no need for taking time off work for recovery. Surgical treatment has become a thing of the past.
Varicose veins are usually caused by a valvular leak in the leg veins. Instead of the efficient return of blood flow back to the heart, blood pools in the legs and enlarges the veins causing them to become either painful or bulging or both. Symptoms may include leg pain, throbbing, itching, skin discoloration, ankle swelling, cramps, and even skin ulceration. Leg valve leak (also known as venous insufficiency) is easily picked up during a physical examination and confirmed by a quick ultrasound test performed at the doctor’s office.
Treatment is two-fold. First, addressing the cause of the problem, the veins with the leaky valves are closed with a catheter based procedure. The following week, a medication is used to inject the remaining problem veins, sealing them shut. Your body will then absorb the treated varicose veins. Both procedures are done in the office setting while fully awake.
Immediate return to normal activity or work is encouraged. No downtime is necessary. In general, procedures should take anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes.
Please email OC VeinCare or call (949) 364-0080 today for a complimentary screening. Dr. Maraya Altuwaijri is board certified Vascular Surgeon who specializes exclusively in the office based treatment of vein disease.
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