DESCRIPTION OF CONDITION:

Veins return blood to the heart.  One-way valves inside the vein open when the heart pumps the blood and closes to prevent blood from flowing in the opposite direction.  When valves fail or leak, blood flows back through the vein causing the blood to pool, a condition termed reflux.  This condition dilates the vein and puts additional pressure on the healthy valves.  The result is varicose veins that appear as twisted, enlarged veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. 

The goal of the endovenous laser treatment is to eliminate the defective veins forcing blood to return to the heart through the deep veins.

SYMPTOMS:

Symptoms of varicose veins may include the following:

• Aching or burning in the legs
• Swelling of the legs or ankles
• Leg cramps or sores
• Itching of the skin around a vein
• Open wounds such as skin ulcers around the ankle

INCIDENCE AND CAUSES:

Nearly 70% of all women and 30% of men will develop some type of venous disorder due to insufficient blood circulation.  Although the exact cause is unknown, there are many that contribute to the weakening of the vein walls including:

• Heredity
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal changes
• Being overweight
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time
• Advancing age
• Injury

ANATOMY:

Coming Soon

PROCEDURE:

If a patient shows symptoms of varicose veins, the physician will conduct a duplex ultrasound to determine if a disorder in one of the larger superficial veins exists.  The physician will discuss a detailed treatment plan and determine if closure of the vein with the D940 laser is appropriate.

The vein closure is a 30 minute in-office procedure with no down-time or scarring.  The physician will determine the particular treatment procedure that is most appropriate for the patient.  Generally described,  the skin is numbed before treatment and a thin laser fiber is inserted into the vein.  Laser energy is emitted through the fiber during the fiber pullback process.  The laser energy heats and closes the vein and blood naturally re-routes to a healthy vein. 

POST PROCEDURE PROTOCOL:

Once the procedure is complete, the physician will place a compression dressing on the treated leg for 2 - 3 days followed by 2 weeks of compression stockings.  Under normal conditions the patient may return to work the following day.

The following are post-procedure protocols often recommended by the physician however each patient is different and should follow the protocol provided by the physician:

• Wear compression stockings for a period of two weeks
• Abstain from high impact activities such as running or step aerobics for a period of  3 weeks
• Walking is encouraged, as it will aid in the healing process.

As with any procedure, some mild side-effects might occur.  You may experience a slight redness to your skin tone in the treated area, which will fade away within a few days.  You might also notice a slight swelling in the treated area. 

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS: