Varicose veins are painful and uncomfortable. They can ache, throb, and cause leg cramps, yet many people try to live with the pain and avoid proper treatment. They fear that a vein removal surgery or treatment can be painful.
It is important to understand that with the advancement of medical technology, doctors nowadays rarely use vein removal or stripping and ligation surgery. Vein treatment has undergone massive changes and they are practically painless.
In the earlier days, varicose vein surgery was done in operation theatres under general anesthesia.
Fortunately, today we have several minimally invasive vein treatment options that do not need surgery. These procedures are pain-free and offer minimal discomfort mostly done in outpatient clinics.
These treatments are relatively quick and are done with a small dose of tumescent anesthesia where the surgeon injects a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area of the varicose vein.
Rather than removing the varicose vein, it is sealed with a sclerosant (injection sclerotherapy) or radiofrequency energy (endothermal ablation).
In endovenous laser treatment, the surgeon uses a tiny laser beam to deliver small bursts of heat energy to shrink and close the veins. A tiny incision is made to insert the catheter through which the heat energy is passed.
Another effective surgical treatment for palpable varicose veins is ambulatory phlebectomy (AP). The procedure uses tumescent anesthesia to numb the area. Small, tiny punctures of about 1 mm are made around the affected area. The varicose veins are then removed in small segments. It is a straightforward procedure done in an outpatient facility and you can return home the same day following the surgery.
People have misconceptions about varicose veins surgery. In reality, varicose vein surgery is simple and recovery time is very quick and easy. Treatment does not always involve the removal of the affected vein.
During the procedures, the surgeon will make you as comfortable as possible. The only pain you will feel is a pinprick sensation when the doctor injects you with the anesthetic. You will go home after surgery and can resume normal work with proper rest for two to three days.
Yes, varicose veins can come back even after a treatment. About 20% of the people who have undergone varicose vein treatment have reported a recurrence of the condition.
Sometimes vein specialists treat the twisted varicose veins that are nearer to the surface of the skin without going deep and treating the underlying cause. This results in short-term treatment and the varicose veins can again come back after some time.
Post-operative neovascularization is a condition that may occur after a vein-stripping surgery. Once the varicose veins are removed, they may grow back due to the natural healing process of the body.
If you have a family history of varicose veins, you may develop new varicose veins after some time. This can be a lifelong challenge and it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, do exercises, wear compression stockings, and manage your weight to prevent recurrence of the disease.
An unhealthy lifestyle can contribute to varicose veins recurrence. A sedentary lifestyle, standing for long hours, being overweight, consuming alcohol, or smoking can also cause the recurrence of the condition.
Don't just jump into a surgery because your doctor is advising you to go for it. Consult our doctors to know if you need a surgery at all. Rest assured, we WON'T recommend you surgery unless it's the last resort.
Despite proper treatment, recurrence of varicose veins is possible. Follow-up treatment includes proper diagnosis to understand the root cause of the disease, imaging studies, alternative treatment, and preventive care. If you have a history of varicose veins, to minimize the possibility of a recurrence, it is important to exercise regularly, manage weight, eat healthy, avoid fatty foods, maintain weight, and elevate your legs while sitting or standing for a prolonged time.
