Treatment for Varicose Veins | Surgery Risks & Benefits | MedStar Health

A varicose vein is an enlarged vein located in the leg. These blue veins are superficial, meaning that they lie close to the skin’s surface. Varicose veins work with deeper veins to help with blood flow, and valves connecting these veins force blood to flow in one direction. If a valve weakens over time, blood can flow backwards, from the deeper veins to the superficial veins, where blood can accumulate.

An estimated 25 million people have varicose veins. Though often harmless, patients frustrated with symptomatic or unattractive varicose veins may wish to undergo treatment aimed at improving the look and health of the leg.

Vericose Veins

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This painful condition, called varicose veins, is extremely common - especially in women. Leg swelling, itching, burning, aching, and the appearance of small branching spider veins often accompany this vascular condition.

Why varicose vein treatment is performed?

Most of the time, varicose veins cause no significant physical symptoms, though they may lead to annoyances such as swelling or the sensation of achy, heavy legs. Simple vascular surgery, vein removal, and compression hose therapy have all been used with success to eliminate varicose veins. In more recent years, minimally invasive procedures such as sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation have emerged as primary treatment approaches. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a special solution into smaller sized veins, causing scarring to redirect blood through a healthy vein. Endovenous ablation is the application of energy to close off the vein(s). Both of these have been demonstrated to alleviate possible effects of varicose veins, such as:

  • Leg pain/achiness

  • Swelling

  • Skin irritation and discoloration

  • Vein inflammation (called phlebitis)

What are the symptoms of varicose or spider veins?

Some people may not have any symptoms of varicose or spider veins other than their appearance. However, you also may experience:

  • Aching pain, especially after long periods of sitting or standing

  • A feeling of heaviness in the leg

  • Bleeding in the affected area

  • Burning, throbbing, or cramping in your lower legs

  • Itching

  • Skin ulcers

  • Swelling

Tests

Diagnosing varicose or spider veins is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.

Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound

Abdominal duplex ultrasound is a combination of a traditional and Doppler ultrasound that assesses the blood vessels in your abdomen for blockages or aneurysms.

Fluoroscopy

A fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses a continuous X-ray beam passed through the body to create real-time, moving images of your internal structures.

Treatments

Our team will work with you to develop and implement an individualized plan. This could include lifestyle modifications, such as wearing prescription-strength compression hose for extra support and pressure, to eliminate symptoms. If your condition is more severe, we may recommend a more advanced treatment, including minimally invasive procedures such as sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation for Varicose Veins

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive technique to treat varicose veins using heat to eliminate damaged veins and improve blood circulation.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical procedure to treat varicose and spider veins.

What to expect during varicose vein treatment?

A diagnostic imaging study is often required for a provider to fully understand the extent of a patient’s varicose veins and related symptoms, and to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Veins that are smaller in size (called spider veins) are good candidates for sclerotherapy. During this procedure, a liquid medicine called a sclerosant is injected into the vein. This creates swelling which eventually scars to close off the vein. The loss of blood flow causes the vein to shrink and dissolve over a period of several weeks. The procedure itself typically only takes a matter of minutes.

Endovenous ablation, often the recommended route for larger veins, is also performed as an outpatient interventional radiology procedure. After the vein area is numbed, cleaned, and sterilized, a small incision is made. From here, a catheter (thin plastic tube) is threaded into the vein with the assistance of ultrasound technology for visualization and enhanced patient safety. Next, the vein itself is injected with local anesthesia. Once the vein is numb, a radiofrequency electrode that creates energy is applied to the vein using the catheter. The resulting heat cauterizes (burns) the vein, shrinking it and sealing it off from further blood flow. This procedure usually takes about an hour.

Risks and benefits of varicose vein treatment

Both sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation are well-tolerated, low-risk procedures that seek to offer relief from varicose veins with minimal downtime. Sclerotherapy may lead to minor side effects including bruising, swelling, and skin discoloration. As with any medical procedure, infection and bleeding are also possible, though not significant enough to cause major concern. With an endovenous ablation, there may also be mild bruising and some residual numbness, but overall the procedure is highly effective, with a fast recovery.

How to prepare for varicose vein treatment?

Sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation are outpatient procedures, with no general anesthesia or sedation used. There is very little preparation needed ahead of time. Patients will be asked about their medication usage and may be instructed to pause certain therapies (like blood thinners) ahead of the scheduled procedure. Eating and drinking are encouraged prior to the appointment, as is showering and dressing in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Patients should also make sure to have a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory aid, such as Advil, available for use at home.

Post varicose vein treatment

Interventional approaches to varicose vein treatment are fast and take less than an hour each. Patients with larger or multiple varicose veins may require subsequent procedures. In this case, a follow-on procedure is scheduled for about a month later.

Patients may go home with elastic bandages on their leg to help with recovery and decrease swelling. Fluid drainage and bruising are possible, but these issues resolve quickly. Most patients can return to work within a day.

Patients are advised to avoid vigorous exercise for the first week or so, but daily short walks are encouraged. Travel and water activities may need to be restricted during this timeframe. The care team will also educate the patient about preventive approaches to limit the emergence of new varicose veins.

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Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.