What is treatment for varicose veins in lower extremities

Treatment for Varicose Veins in Lower Extremities

Feeling self conscious, frustrated or uncomfortable because of the varicose veins on your legs and/or feet? You are not alone. Varicose veins are a very common condition, affecting at least half of adults at some point in their lifespan. Varicose veins develop as a result of veins becoming weak or damaged and blood is no longer able to flow through as it should. The blood begins to pool inside of the vein and causes them to enlarge.

Sometimes, these damaged veins present themselves on the surface of the skin, becoming mainly a cosmetic concern. You may notice discoloration in the skin, where veins appear blue or purple through the surface of the skin. Varicose veins also bulge out of the skin, and look like large, twisted ropes. There are a lot of uncomfortable side effects that are associated with varicose veins, such as feelings of achiness or heaviness in the legs or feet, swelling, excess itching or bleeding around the affected veins, a throbbing or burning sensation, muscle cramping, and general soreness in the lower extremities.

Risk for Developing Varicose Veins

You may be at risk for developing varicose veins if you have a family history of varicose veins; you have a history of blood clotting disorders or have had vein damage; you are going through some sort of hormonal change such as using birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause, or any kind of hormone therapy; or you are overweight. Age is also a risk factor, as is any kind of prolonged sitting or standing that may affect proper blood flow. Even wearing tight clothing or frequently wearing high heels can put excess pressure on your legs and feet and cause varicose veins in legs.

Although varicose veins are not always harmful to your health, if left untreated, they could eventually lead to much more serious health conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), chronic venous insufficiency, ulcers or infections. If you are experiencing any kind of symptoms because of your varicose veins, it is always ideal to speak with a vein doctor about potential treatment options — and don’t worry, there are plenty of options!

Safe and Effective options for Varicose Vein Treatment in Lower Extremities

There are a lot of safe and effective options for varicose vein treatment in lower extremities that do not require surgical procedures, major scarring or downtime. At Fox Vein & Laser Experts, the most commonly used treatments are Sclerotherapy, Endovenous Laser Ablation, and Ambulatory Phlebectomy.

Visual sclerotherapy is used for small varicose veins that are close to the surface of the skin. It’s one of the most comfortable and least invasive treatments for varicose veins, and it is such a quick procedure that it will not cause any disturbances to your daily routine. Sclerotherapy works by injecting a medicated solution directly into the affected veins which disrupts the lining of the vessels and causes the walls of the vein to stick together and seal shut. Blood reroutes to healthy veins and flows freely to the heart, while the treated veins become scar tissue that is naturally removed by the body, and new healthy tissue grows in its place. For larger veins or veins that are much deeper inside of the body, sclerotherapy can be used with ultrasound guidance or with a foam solution that can treat larger areas at a time.

Endovenous Laser Ablation has a 98-100% success rate and is used to treat large varicose veins and venous insufficiency. This method uses a laser fiber to treat the veins. The fiber is inserted into the vein through a very small incision in the skin, shooting out small pulses of energy that heat it up and cause it to collapse and seal. There is no scarring, and no sutures needed.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in-office under local anesthesia. Veins are teased out through small incisions made in the skin without the need for major surgery or scarring. Typically, patients choose this treatment when they want more immediate results than sclerotherapy, which often needs a series of treatments.

Compression stockings or socks can help relieve the symptoms you may be feeling from varicose veins, and help move along the post-treatment healing process as well. They come in all different styles and sizes to ensure that every patient can find the most comfortable pair to help with their condition. The team at Fox Vein & Laser Experts always recommends compression stockings to patients as part of post-treatment care, but also as a preventative measure. Not only do they alleviate symptoms of varicose veins, but they also help prevent the development of future varicose veins by promoting proper blood flow and circulation in the lower extremities.

Contact us at Fox Vein & Laser Experts

Ready to learn more about your options for varicose vein treatment and lower extremities? Call our vein clinic Miami at 954-627-1045 to schedule a consultation with our vein experts team.