Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, and painful veins that fill with blood. They are usually on the legs and are visible as they are raised above the skin’s surface. Varicose veins are not life-threatening, but they can be extremely uncomfortable and painful, and some people may be self-conscious about their appearance.
A procedure known as “vein stripping” was traditionally performed to remove varicose veins. In vein stripping, small incisions are made, and the veins are physically pulled out of the body. However, other treatment options are available now which ate minimally invasive and do not require such surgeries. To learn more, consult a doctor for Boise sclerotherapy treatment today.
What are some noninvasive treatments for varicose veins?
There are certain noninvasive or minimally invasive treatment options available for varicose veins. Thes are:
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Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy works by injecting a sclerosant solution into the varicose veins to destroy them. The sclerosant scars the varicose veins, forcing the blood to reroute and flow through other healthier veins. The varicose veins then eventually fade away. Sodium tetradecyl sulfate is a very common sclerosant solution. This procedure is generally used to treat spider veins or smaller size varicose veins, which are located close to the skin’s surface, and to enhance the leg’s appearance.
Another variant of sclerotherapy is foam sclerotherapy, where a foam sclerosant is injected into the varicose veins. This is typically used for larger veins as foam can cover a larger surface area than liquids.
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Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency energy, or radio waves, are blasted through the vein wall in this procedure. The doctor will make the vein numb, then use an ultrasound to examine the leg before passing a catheter along the vein to deliver radiofrequency energy to its wall.
The vein wall would usually heat up, thicken, contract, and then eventually disappear by being reabsorbed into the body. The full results of this procedure can take weeks or even months to be seen.
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Endovenous laser ablation
The procedure called laser ablation is very similar to radiofrequency ablation but makes use of laser energy instead of radio waves. The process is also very similar. Both of these treatments are usually preferred when treating deeper veins in the leg.
Schedule your appointment today.
If you are considering getting varicose vein treatments, you need the best doctors in order to avoid any risks or complications. Schedule a consultation with a skilled and experienced doctor today and get the help you need and answers to any questions you may have.
