Ways Your Vascular Surgeon Can Treat Varicose Veins
Your veins contain valves that allow for blood to return to the heart. Should your valves struggle to function, you may find that blood pools inside your veins, causing them to become larger. Such occurrences result in varicose veins, and while not every patient requires treatment, some find that the symptoms that accompany their condition warrant surgical attention. If you choose to approach a vascular surgeon for assistance with your varicose veins, the options available will depend on your condition and underlying health factors.
Conservative management, such as compression stockings
While you can find compression stockings via your pharmacist, opting for generic sizes doesn't guarantee you'll see the benefits. Not every patient with varicose veins benefits from compression stockings, and those who do require a thorough assessment prior to wearing a pair. By seeking advice from the vascular surgeon's team, you maximise your chances of treatment success. Compression stockings squeeze your legs and encourage blood flow towards the heart, improving your circulation.
Thermal ablation
If your vascular surgeon is able to highlight which vessel is causing your varicose veins, they may offer endothermal ablation. This technique seals off either your long saphenous vein or short saphenous vein, cutting off the weak valve that's causing blood to pool in areas of your legs. Your surgeon will use an ultrasound machine scan to place a catheter that guides an electrical or laser current that tackles the causative vessel. As an innovative procedure, thermal ablation is less painful than open surgery and has a quicker recovery time.
Sclerotherapy
Like thermal ablation, sclerotherapy allows your vascular surgeon to isolate the problematic vessel with excellent results and a short recovery period. Using an injectable solution, your surgeon will initiate a physiological process that causes a clotting cascade within the vein. Over time, this leads to the vein dying, after which your body absorbs it. While sclerotherapy is effective, it isn't appropriate for those with very large varicose veins.
Open surgery
If you do have large varicose veins, your vascular surgeon may opt for traditional open surgery. Although open surgery has longer recovery periods, it delivers the best results in those with extensive forms of the condition, reducing the need for repeat procedures. Many refer to the procedure as 'stripping' or 'ligation'. To achieve this, your vascular surgeon will make an incision from around your groin area downwards and insert a wire that they'll use to remove the vein.
As a patient, you'll find that your condition differs from others. It's because of this that your surgical team may only offer certain options, but when they do, they will do so with a view to producing the best long-term results. By consulting a vascular surgeon, you can address your varicose veins in a way that protects your future health.
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