Varicose Vein Treatment

An estimated 40 percent of people in the United States have chronic venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can present itself as a spider or varicose veins and may be a sign of significant underlying venous disease. Venous insufficiency can be the result of heredity, age, gender, weight, history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), multiple pregnancies, inactivity and occupations that require prolonged sitting or standing.

• Endovenous Laser Therapy
• Sclerotherapy
• Compression Stockings
• Varicose Vein During Pregnancy

Signs and Symptoms

• Aching/Pain
• Heaviness
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Itching/Burning
• Swollen ankles
• Leg cramps
• Restless legs
• Throbbing

View Before and After photos of Vein Treatment:

How are Varicose Veins Treated?
There are generally 2 treatment options:

• Conservative measures such as the use of compression stockings and change in lifestyle
• Corrective treatment such as endovenous laser therapy, ambulatory phlebectomy, and sclerotherapy.

Can Varicose Veins Be Prevented?
In short, no. Varicose veins are the product of venous insufficiency, which is the result of several contributing factors. That said, there are steps you can take to inhibit the formation of dysfunctional, painful veins. These steps include:

• Exercise several days a week. Vascular health and circulation improve with daily walks as much as they improve with more strenuous cardio exercise. Whether you ride a bike, hike, or walk, do it at least 5 days a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight. When weight increases disproportionately to our height and body frame, the vascular system is put under extraordinary stress. Regular exercise is one path to shedding extra pounds.
• Move frequently. Many people today live a relatively sedentary lifestyle. We work at desks for 9 or more hours a day. If you’re one of those people who does, set a timer to get up and walk around for 5 minutes every 60 to 90 minutes. Likewise, people who stand for prolonged periods need to schedule breaks during which they can sit or, even better, elevate their legs.
• Elevate the legs. Varicose veins develop because blood is not pushed upward toward the heart with the efficiency that is required. Elevating the legs to any degree can help blood move out of swollen, uncomfortable veins.
• Wear compression. People often mistake compression as something that one should do after vein treatment. Compression may be worn before you seek treatment and also afterward to help prevent new varicose veins from developing. It isn’t necessary to wear compression stockings all day every day. A doctor can help you determine the best time to rely on compression based on your lifestyle.

Are there permanent treatments for Varicose Veins?
Varicose vein treatments are permanent. They also are not. Procedures like sclerotherapy and endovenous laser therapy close existing varicose veins. Once a vein is closed, it does not reopen; the vein is gradually absorbed and it disappears. That said, varicose vein treatment cannot stop new veins from forming. After having sclerotherapy or another procedure, patients can benefit from implementing the lifestyle habits mentioned here to decrease the risk of future varicose veins. Despite these habits, venous insufficiency may once again result in ropy, bulging veins. In this instance, additional vein treatments can be performed as needed.

Will Varicose Veins go away on their own?

No. The only way to get rid of existing varicose veins is through medical intervention like sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatment, or ambulatory phlebectomy. However, there is one exception to the norm, pregnancy. 

Women who develop varicose veins while pregnant may see the condition resolve in the first few months after childbirth. In this case, varicose veins are related to the way that hormones cause blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow. Usually, pregnancy-related varicose veins resolve within about 12 weeks after delivery.

How many Varicose Vein Treatments will I need?

Every patient who seeks varicose vein treatment may need a certain number of sessions. Treatment time can also depend on the type of treatment used. ClosureFast and VenaSeal by Medtronic are the two top treatments we use at The Metropolitan Vascular Institute.

Treatment recommendations can vary based on the size and severity of varicose veins. Normally, we see significant improvement with 2 to 4 sessions. Appointments may be scheduled 2 to 4 weeks apart to give the body sufficient time to respond to each treatment. 

After varicose vein treatment, patients may begin to see treated veins lightening within a week. However, the process can take several weeks to complete depending on the buildup of blood in the treated vein or veins.

Who is the ideal candidate for Varicose Vein Treatment?

Anyone who wants to get rid of uncomfortable varicose veins may be a good candidate for one of the available forms of treatment. Vein treatments are not performed on women who are pregnant. In many pregnancy-related cases, the condition resolves over the course of 3 to 4 months. Certain medical conditions may prevent the safe administration of varicose vein treatment, as well, such as significant cardiovascular disease. 

Our vein specialists conduct a thorough consultation, health history, and examination to ensure that treatment can be safely performed on each of our patients.

Endovenous Laser Therapy

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) or Venous Ablation is a technique that uses a laser fiber to close down the enlarged varicose veins. The procedure is performed in our office and takes about 30-45 minutes. A small laser catheter is passed into the affected vein with guidance from the ultrasound machine. The laser is then turned on and the entire vein closed down. The laser is fired at multiple locations and the entire procedure is performed with some local anesthesia. The closed vein is reabsorbed into the body and the blood supply in that area is naturally rerouted to other veins. Recovery is rapid and involves minimal pain.

Sclerotherapy

Compression Stockings

Varicose Vein during Pregnancy

Effect of Pregnancy on the Venous System
During pregnancy, many hormonal changes occur in the body that has a profound effect on the veins. Blood volume increases between 40% to 50%, while increased amounts of progesterone cause the vein walls to dilate and become less elastic.

The pressure of the fetal head in the pelvis can compress the iliac veins and obstruct venous outflow from the legs. As the baby grows, the uterus enlarges and applies pressure on important veins that return blood to the heart. This pressure can cause a slowing of the blood flow and valve damage, resulting in swelling, leg discomfort, and even varicose veins. A pregnant woman’s feet and legs may start to swell after sitting or standing for only a short time. In principle, this is a completely normal symptom. However, if your feet are already swollen when you get up in the morning, consult your doctor. While these symptoms may subside after delivery, with each subsequent pregnancy, they are less likely to completely disappear.

Pregnant patients are encouraged to have an evaluation during pregnancy and treatment is encouraged after delivery.

Pregnancy and DVT
Women who are pregnant are at a high risk for the development of a Deep Vein Thrombosis, known as DVT. One reason is due to the increased blood volume at full term.

Additionally, pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase blood coagulability, a measure of how easily blood clots. The expanding uterus puts pressure on blood vessels, restricting blood flow from the legs and pelvis back to the heart.

Slower blood flow increases the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis. The risk continues during the postpartum period until the woman’s hormonal levels return to their pre-pregnancy state.

Common Leg Health Problems During Pregnancy

Venous disorders and leg health problems are among the most frequent medical conditions in North America. You may experience these conditions for the first time during pregnancy. For example, swollen feet, tired aching legs and a feeling of heaviness in the legs are among everyday symptoms that pregnant women may experience.
These symptoms are especially frequent when:

• a history of varicose veins and venous disease exists in the family
• a venous condition was already present before the pregnancy
• The woman sits and stands for prolonged periods of time while pregnant
• The woman does not exercise regularly during the pregnancy, or
• The woman has had more than one pregnancy

Pregnancy plays a role in the development of varicose veins. 30% of women pregnant for the first time, and 55% of women who have had two or more full-term pregnancies develop varicose veins.

Vascular Imaging:

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging scan that uses sound waves to “see” inside your body. At the Metropolitan Vascular Institute, we have an expert team of physicians, nurses, and technologists who are highly trained in ultrasound imaging.

• Venous Duplex Ultrasound Scan
• Venous Doppler

Venous Duplex Ultrasound Scan

The purpose of a venous duplex ultrasound scan is to evaluate venous blood flow in the patient’s arms and/or legs. Patients may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling or varicose veins in the arms or legs. These scans can aid in the diagnosis of venous abnormalities such as a suspected blood clot in a deep vein of the leg (DVT); narrowing or closure (occlusion) of a vein; or impaired blood flow (venous insufficiency).

Venous Doppler

A Venous Doppler ultrasound study may be part of a venous duplex ultrasound examination. Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that allows the physician to see and evaluate blood flow through arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs, neck, or within various body organs such as the liver or kidneys.

Schedule Your Visit
Metropolitan Vascular Institute is proud to provide professional vein treatment care in a friendly environment. Call our Waldorf, MD office at (301)374-8540 to schedule your visit.