Owing to the large pool of information on the web and the massive variety of available treatment methods, it can be extremely overwhelming for you to decide upon a varicose vein medical treatment method and be confident that you have made the right choice for your speedy recovery.
In this article today, we are going to share brief details about all the feasible treatment options and compare their pros and cons to help you evaluate and plan the treatment course of your ugly looking and highly painful varicose veins.
Introduction to Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are the blue and purple veins that are quite evidently visible right under the surface of the skin. They are the twisted and enlarged veins that seem to bulge out from the affected area on the legs and feet.
Varicose veins occur when the one-way valves of the veins become incompetent and do not work as desired. They prevent the de-oxygenated blood from flowing back to the heart and this causes the blood to pool in the malfunctioning veins, thus making them look swollen and magnified.
Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue but also pose a serious threat to the patient’s health with increased chances of medical ailments like blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and even active venous ulcers.
Following are the most common symptoms to easily identify varicose veins:
- A feeling of heaviness and constant discomfort in the legs
- Swelling in the legs, commonly around the ankle area
- Itching, burning sensation, throbbing or any kind of irritation in the legs
- Skin changes around the affected area
Treating Varicose Veins
It is wise to first try the non-invasive conservative treatment methods for varicose veins at your home. These include :
- Regular use of compression stockings
- Keep your legs at an elevation all throughout the day and even during sleep
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
- Bring your blood pressure down to appropriate levels
- Eat a nutritional diet and exercise your legs every day
If even after practicing the above-mentioned methods, you still do not find relief in the symptoms of your varicose veins, you must find a suitable treatment method to either close off the problematic vein or completely remove it. This way the body will automatically redirect the blood from the varicose vein to other healthier veins.
Minimally Invasive Options
Minimally invasive treatment methods are those where the affected veins are treated without a surgical procedure. Doctors who are interventional radiologists are specially trained experts with proficiency in using imaging techniques such as ultrasound to effectively diagnose the problematic varicose veins. There are two main minimally invasive treatment methods as detailed below:
Venous Ablation
In the venous ablation treatment method, a minute cut is made on the body. Through this cut, a thin tube called catheter is inserted into the varicose vein to the point so that the tip of the catheter reaches the correct position of the affected area.
Now, exactly along the path created by the catheter, extreme heat, created by either a laser fibre or radiofrequency waves, is applied to the inside of the vein and the vein is completely closed off. This closed vein eventually disappears on its own.
Micro-phlebectomy
This process, also called ambulatory phlebectomy, is usually done along with the venous ablation procedure as a part of a complete treatment process. Successful in treating the bulging veins near the skin surface, this technique makes several small cuts on the skin surrounding the varicose veins.
A special instrument that has a hook attached to its tip is inserted through these cuts to remove the varicose veins. Although no stitches are needed to close these cuts, small bandages are required after the completion of the procedure.
There are more than a handful of benefits of the minimally invasive varicose veins treatment methods:
- These treatments are quite effective
- The endovenous laser ablation procedure is successful in 91-100% times
- The patient need not get admitted to the hospital for these treatments and can be attended to as an OPD patient
- There are no stitches required to close the cuts
- In most cases, general anaesthesia isn’t needed as the local anaesthesia is sufficient
There is also a downside to the minimally invasive treatment procedures, let us address them below:
- Not all patients can be treated for their varicose veins by these minimally invasive methods. In a few patients, surgery is vital for complete cure
- You may need additional treatments after the minimally invasive procedure
- In a few rare cases, blood clots have developed after the endovenous laser treatment of the varicose veins
- Some patients may suffer from bleeding, infection, and inflammation in the vein after the laser treatment
Surgical Stripping
Until a few years ago, surgical treatments were the only available medical procedures to treat patients suffering from varicose veins. In these procedures, patients are given medication for sedation so that they are unconscious during the procedure. In most cases, regional anaesthesia is also required so that the area to be treated is numbed before the surgery.
Vein Stripping
In the vein stripping surgery, incisions are made in the groin and around the medial thigh. Through these cuts, a special metal or plastic wire is inserted into the varicose vein. This wire pulls the affected vein out from the body. The incisions are then stitched and a bandage is applied to the wound.
The patient may have to stay in the hospital under the doctor’s supervision for a day or so. Patients are also advised to avoid physical activity for a few days or weeks and may be asked to wear compression stockings for an extended duration of time.
Ligation
This surgical procedure is quite similar to the vein stripping process, except that in ligation, the problematic veins are tied off instead of being removed from the body. It is a painful process and the patient may be advised bed rest for a few days or weeks after the vein ligation.
The best part about this process, as compared to the laser and radiofrequency technique, is that it is totally safe and very effective.
There are a few disadvantages of the surgical treatment methods, let us have a look at them below:
- These medical procedures require sedation and the general anaesthesia can lead to serious health complications
- As compared to the minimally invasive techniques, these procedures are more painful and have a higher recovery time
- There is a high probability of roughly 50% of recurrence of varicose veins after nearly 5 years
- Almost one-third of the patients who undergo a surgical process for their varicose veins complain of a nerve injury during the process
- There are some severe side effects as well. As many as 5% of patients who get a surgical treatment for their varicose veins end up suffering from DVT which is a life threating medical condition
Conclusion
If you have early symptoms or prominently visible and severely painful varicose veins, you must consult a vascular expert for advice on the appropriate treatment for your condition. Dr. Rajah V Koppala is an internationally qualified and highly acclaimed interventional radiologist practicing in Avis Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Schedule an appointment with him for consultation and genuine medical advice to get rid of your varicose veins for once and forever!
