27 July 2010
It's time to get rid of those unsightly, and often painful, varicose veins
Large leg veins can make your legs appear blue. They can cause pain, swelling, heaviness of the legs and blood clots. Removing varicose veins in the past required hospitalization; however, today newer techniques allow outpatient elimination of varicose veins and the blues.
Most recently I have perceived in several cases, a relationship between leg pains in an active individual over 50 years of age that are caused by unseen vein problems. Patients who have had leg pain associated with activities such as running, tennis, walking, biking, standing, etc. can now get relief. These individuals need to be evaluated to determine the reason for their leg pain. The pain often will not be so severe as to require medication (such as Tylenol or ibuprofen) but just annoying enough that one avoids the activity that brings it on. Often simple non-operative treatment can correct the cause and get the patient comfortably back to their activity.
Recent outpatient treatment methods for the blues include:
- Venous Closure
Endovenous ablation is done with a heated catheter (radiofrequency energy) or heating the blood (Laser energy). The catheter is inserted through a small incision. Following a 20-30 minute treatment the vein constricts permanently. Patients experience a mild burning pain which resolves in 1-2 weeks. The treated veins fade from view in three to six months. - Minimally Invasive Surgery
A micro surgical technique known as mini phlebectomy removes varicose veins directly without a hospital stay. The procedure requires several small incisions and lasts from 45 min to 90 min. Absence of the veins are immediate with moderate pain and bruising. Patients are back to normal activity within 48 hours and vigorous activity within 10 days.
