Research shows that varicose veins occur due to excess pressure buildup in the veins, which weakens their walls or valves, and thus blood accumulates instead of flowing to the heart. Hara Misra M.D. diagnoses and treats various vascular diseases, including varicose and spider veins. Although spider veins also appear swollen and bulging under the skin’s surface, varicose veins often are more pronounced and have severe symptoms.
Only a specialist can identify the vascular disease affecting you and choose the right course of treatment. Remember that having varicose veins may put you at risk of various rare complications, including blood clots, bleeding, and painful sores besides their unsightly appearance.
Endovenous laser therapy is one of the treatments your doctor may recommend for varicose veins. Subsequently, below are a few things you may need to remember about the procedure.
How endovenous laser therapy works
Also called endovenous laser or endovenous laser ablation, this minimally invasive treatment is often recommended when conservative treatments are ineffective, or you do not want to undergo surgery.
The procedure involves sterilizing your leg, making an incision, and inserting a thin plastic tube (catheter) and a small laser fiber into the twisted and bulging vein using a needle.
The fiber delivers laser energy throughout the varicose vein. The laser energy heats and destroys the enlarged vein, leading to its permanent closing.
Endovenous laser therapy lasts about an hour and is usually administered in your thigh area, even if your affected veins are below the knee. Then, your doctor removes the catheter from your vein and closes the tiny incision on your leg.
The doctor may use a compression garment or bandage to cover the incision site.
What to do after endovenous laser therapy
After endovenous laser therapy, your doctor will require you to walk immediately. Walking strengthens and conditions the veins in your legs and feet to accommodate an increased pressure in blood flow. Thus, avoid resting or lying around for hours after endovenous laser therapy.
You may also promote healing and recovery by compressing your treated leg with special socks or stockings.
The enlarged varicose veins will often disappear within a month after treatment. After the shrinking or closing and disappearance of your varicose veins, blood is redirected to flow in healthy veins.
Advantages of endovenous laser therapy
It takes about an hour to complete a tests and treatment session.
And after undergoing the procedure, you do not need time to rest and recover. You can resume your routine activities almost immediately.
Moreover, since your doctor only creates a small incision, you are at less risk of complications.
Potential complications of endovenous laser therapy may involve damage to healthy nerves, infection of the treatment area, bleeding, blood clots, bruises, inflammation, and skin discoloration.
Because varicose veins make your legs appear unsightly and painful, you should focus more on preventing it. You can prevent varicose veins by maintaining a healthy weight, remaining physically active, always keeping your leg elevated when sitting, avoiding tight clothes, and avoiding sitting or standing for an extended period.
Contact Scottsdale Vascular Clinic today to schedule an appointment with an endovenous laser therapy specialist.
