Endovenous Laser Ablation Might Be The Solution For Removing Your Varicose Veins

If you're considering having your varicose veins removed, you should talk to a doctor about your options since there are different ways to remove varicose veins. Some methods remove small surface veins, while others work on large, deep veins. Some treatments are better for twisted veins, while other treatments are only suitable for straight veins.

An option your doctor might recommend based on the size, depth, and condition of your veins is endovenous laser ablation. Here's how this medical treatment eliminates varicose veins.

The Laser Is Used To Produce Heat

With endovenous laser ablation, the doctor inserts a catheter and laser fiber into a varicose vein to heat up the vein and cause damage that causes the vein to shrink and disappear. Veins are done one at a time, so if you have multiple varicose veins, you'll need a longer treatment period, but the doctor might be able to treat all of your veins the same day.

Stitches Aren't Usually Needed

The doctor needs to make a small incision in your skin so the laser fiber can be inserted into the vein. The incision is so tiny that it is closed with a bandage and no stitches are usually needed. Since the incision is small, recovery is quick and you experience less pain than you would with a traditional surgical incision.

The Laser Is Guided With Ultrasound

Since the fiber is inserted through an incision, it goes out of view of your doctor. However, the doctor can still guide the laser to the vein being treated by using an ultrasound machine that works somewhat like an x-ray to give the doctor a view of the veins in your leg.

You Wear Compression Stockings Afterward

Your doctor will probably have you wear compression stockings for several days after the procedure. You might be able to return to work the following day, but it could be a couple of weeks before you can resume all of your activities.

Endovenous laser ablation is most suitable for straight, large veins. The treatment applies heat that causes the vein to shrivel, so the veins don't disappear right away. The laser treatment is easy to endure since a local anesthetic is used for the procedure. Plus, the treatment is fairly quick unless you're having multiple veins removed.

Endovenous laser ablation could be the right way to remove your varicose veins, whether you want them gone for cosmetic reasons or because the veins cause pain and discomfort. Your doctor needs to examine your legs first and then let you know if the laser procedure is right for you or if another type of treatment would be better.


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