Varicose Veins
Before getting treatment for Varicose Veins lets first understand what is varicose veins.
“Varicosed” means abnormally swollen or knotted.
Varicose veins are enlarged and swollen veins. In many cases these veins also get twisted resulting in allowing blood flow in wrong direction by development of faulty valves.
How do I know that I have Varicose Veins?
- Veins appear to be dark Blue or Purple
- You will observe that yours veins are twisted and protruded.
However in many times pain is not associated with Varicose Veins and people ignore the Varicose Veins Treatment which sometimes leads to serious problems.
MYTHS & FACTS
What you should know before treatment for varicose veins.
1. Varicose veins are dilated veins in the leg.
It’s true as varicose veins are veins that have experienced and breakdown in the return pump valve, which in turn allows the blood to stay in these veins resulting in their dilation.
If you suspect above symptom, than consult a surgeon to get treatment for varicose veins
2. Standing or crossing your legs for long periods of time cause varicose veins:
Probably Myth. This is again very confusing distinguishing between it is casual or a contributing factor. Standing does not cause varicose veins per se, but hastens the deterioration of malfunctioning valves and thus the development of varicose veins. Since most valves fall at a young age, standings for long period will create a greater likelihood of developing varicose veins in a group who already have defective valves.
3. Women get varicose veins more often than men: and are more prone to go for treatment for Varicose Veins
Probably not true. Not much work has been done into this area. In most of the centre almost equal no of both men and women go for the treatment for varicose veins.
4. Pregnancy causes varicose veins
Probably not true. However, research indicates that only those women with preexisting valve problems develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Thus it is more correct to say that pregnancy exacerbates or hastens the development of varicose veins.
So it is a contributing rather than a casual, factor. Women with weak valves would develop varicose veins eventually regardless of the pregnancy. Hence treatment for varicose veins is required.
5. Varicose veins can happen to anybody.
This is an important question before seeking treatment for Varicose Veins
It is more likely to happen to you if your patients or other relatives had them. That is why it is best to take preventative measures now before they make their unwelcome appearance.
6. Treatment for varicose veins in not required this is only a cosmetic problem.
Wrong. Varicose veins are a sign that the valve in the vein is not working properly.
Naturally, if the valves are not working properly then the effect will be varicosities and their accompanying problems (leg aching/ eczema/lipodermatosclersis/ cellulitis /. thrombosis / venous ulcer etc.)
Treatment for varicose veins should be done in symptomatic patients and early in patients who have developed skin changes.
7. Prevention of Varicose Veins is possible.
Since it is at least partly determined by genetics, you may not be able to prevent them altogether. However, you can take preventative measures that delay their appearance. One obvious consideration is to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a well balanced diet regular exercise, avoid prolong standing and high heels and good nutritional supplements. If you do develop varicose veins, get them treated before the condition becomes worse.
8. Genetics control Varicose Veins
Probably fact. However, not everyone who has the gene for varicose veins will necessarily get them. It is more complex than that: environmental factors play a role in the expression of genes as well taking preventive measures and treatment for varicose veins can certainly delay the development
9. You should wait until you have finished having children before getting treatment for varicose veins.
Not Right. Although this is bad advice – contrary to current research and illogical – this advice is still given by many doctors and nurses today. Since pregnancy does not cause but exacerbates the problem, the sooner the veins are fixed, the less damage will be done to the legs and the easier the treatment will be. So if you have persistent varicose veins after 6-8 weeks of the delivery then it is advisable to undergo the varicose veins treatment before going for the second child.
10. Varicose veins are hereditary.
It’s true. It also seems that more relatives are affected by varicose veins, the more likely they will develop the condition as well. We have seen a family where all female members including grandmother, mother and four daughters had varicose veins. Most of the time the cause of varicose veins occurrence is not known.
11. Varicose veins treatment is futile because they always return.
Myth. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of varicose veins can ensure that at least some of them do not return.
Besides, varicose veins treatment is sometimes necessary, whether there is neovascularisation or not, simply because the symptoms are unacceptable or unbearable for many people.
Even if the results of the treatment are not permanent, it is still preferable to no treatment at all.
If the disease is not properly evaluated and operated by an inexperienced surgeon, there will be higher chances of reoccurrence of varicose vein.
12. Conservative treatment is the best treatment for varicose veins
The treatment for primary varicose veins depends on the extent of the varicosity and the damage to the skin at ankle.
Graduated elastic compression stockings are good for temporary relief of symptoms and are used below knee with pressure between 23-32 mmHg.
Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
Open Surgical Techniques for Varicose Veins Treatment
Various stripping (open surgery) is where we remove the diseased vein through surgery, usually requires a day stay in hospital with recovery in 10-14 days.
It requires anesthesia and there are cuts on the skin. According to us this procedure has no role in the treatment for varicose vein in the advanced centres and should be performed only where minimally invasive procedures are not available.
Ambulatory phlebectomy is also a minimally invasive outpatient procedure where veins are removed with hooks through small skin incisions and we hardly do such interventions in our centres.
Treatment for Varicose Veins with the Latest Intervention Techniques.
Foam Sclerotherapy is an injection of a sclerosing solution into veins and mainly used to treat localized lesions and varicosities and is a very successful intervention technique.
It is done on an outpatient basis and patients get very good result.
Laser or Radiofrequency treatment along with foam sclerotherapy is the most minimally invasive treatment option for varicose veins
The treatment involves puncture of the vein under ultrasound guidance and burning the vein with the use of a Diode laser.
We combine this technique with Foam sclerotherapy to ablate the small veins. It is safe and painless.
The patients can return home the same day as compared to conventional surgery where patients had to stay in the hospital for some time.
It is performed under local anaesthesia and is virtually scarless.
As it causes minimal damage to the tissues it is especially useful in patients who are on blood thinners, obese, groin infection, old age or patients who are scared of surgery.
Patients can return to normal activities within 24 hours except for vigorous exercise. Overall the treatment for varicose veins with this new technique is cheaper than the conventional method.
With the newer minimally invasive treatments available for varicose veins, our patient’s do not have to suffer from symptoms any more. They will be given the treatment by expert hands with the most advanced available techniques.
Options for Varicose Veins Treatment
We have been doing laser and Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) of varicose veins for last 16 years. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and there is no cut, no hospitalisation. The patient can walk 10 min after the procedure. He can resume his duty the next day.
How and Why
We Place laser or RF fiber in the vein upto 2cm away from the saphenofemoral junction under USG Guidance. Tumesence Anesthesia is given around the vein wall and disease segment is ablated with laser or Radio Frequency.
Venous Ulcer
The treatment of this complex disease starts with proper evaluation of the disease process. These ulcers are best treated with special four layer bandages and laser ablation of varicose veins along with foam sclerotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions for Laser Treatment (FAQs)
1. Will my pain disappear with after undergoing treatment for varicose veins?
Most of the pain related to varicose vein like heaviness, swelling disappear after the treatment. But some patients have pain related to the back which will require local treatment in form of gel, hot fermentation and physiotherapy.
2. What is the cost incurred in treatment for varicose veins?
We offer several packages in accordance with the type of procedure required depending on which valves are malfunctional and also what is the mode of treatment you require in form of laser radiofrequency or foam closure of the veins.
3. How long is the varicose veins surgery procedure?
Procedure normally takes around 20 minutes for one leg and around 1 hour for both legs. You will be discharged around 10 minutes after the procedure.
4. What kind of anaesthesia is used during treatment for varicose veins?
More than 99% of the patients tolerate local anaesthesia very well.
5. How much pain during the procedure is there?
You will have little pain during the procedure equivalent to bee sting. There will be 3-4 small needle pricks to introduce anaesthesia and most of the patients can tolerate it very well.
6. Do I need overnight admission?
After getting treatment for varicose veins, patients will be discharged as a day care and in certain special situations admission is required.
7. When can I go home?
You can go home immediately after the procedure walking on your legs and can do most of your daily routine activities by evening.
8. Do I need to be fasting?
No fasting required before treatment for varicose veins.
9. Do I require shaving?
You don’t require shaving
10. How long I require to wear stockings?
2-4 weeks.
11. What medication do I have to take post surgery?
Couple of pain killers for 3-5 days.
12. When can I start Jogging?
After 4-6 weeks.
13. How will I feel after the surgery?
- You will have some bruise on thigh which will disappear after 6-8 days.
- You can have cord like feeling which usually disappears in 2-3 weeks.
- If you had foam sclerotherapy, you will have mild itching for 2-3 days along with small lumps in calf area which all disappear within 2-3 weeks.
- Some patients will have lumps which can take 3-6 months to disappear.
- If the veins are very close to skin then in 3.5% patients can have skin discolouration.
14. When can I play outdoor games?
You can play from next day.
15. When can I travel?
Immediately after surgery.
16. Do I need to report back?
If possible after 2 weeks just to look for any possible residual veins for minor treatment in OPD.
17. Will my skin discolouration disappear with this treatment?
May be
18. Is there any chances of recurrence?
3-5% chances of recurrence.
