Treatment of Varicose Veins

At VIP, we focus on the minimally invasive treatment of conditions affecting the veins. VIP interventional radiologists have extensive experience in treating vein conditions, including varicose veins, using minimally invasive methods.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are abnormal, enlarged veins just under the skin surface. This condition can cause aching, pain, swelling, and discomfort. Varicose veins most commonly affect the legs and feet. It is a very common condition, affecting up to half of all Americans.

Varicose veins occur when blood in the legs pools in the veins. Normally, the one way valves within the veins help blood flow to the heart against gravity. When these valves become leaky, they allow blood to flow backwards and pool in the small veins in the legs. This results in stretching of the veins that gives them a bulging appearance. This process most commonly occurs in the greater saphenous vein in the leg.

Risk Factors for Varicose Veins

Although women are more prone to varicose veins, they can occur in men or women. The following are risk factors for developing varicose veins:

female
obesity
history of blood clots
family history
history of multiple pregnancies
standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
trauma

Signs and Symptoms of Problematic Varicose veins

Varicose veins may be present and not cause any symptoms. Alternatively, varicose veins may not even be visible, but can cause significant symptoms. Symptoms of varicose veins include:

lower leg swelling
burning or achy sensation in the lower leg, particularly at the end of the day
frequent muscle cramps
itchy skin
nonhealing ulcers around the shin or ankle
grey/purple/reddish discoloration of the calf, shin, or ankle

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Varicose veins—VNUS closure

VNUS Closure - endovenous radiofrequency ablation - is a safe and simple varicose vein treatment. The VNUS device treats the underlying abnormal vein which is causing the varicose veins without surgery.

The catheter applies heat to the vein wall, causing the vein to permanently close and disappear. The body then reroutes the blood to healthier veins. No other tissue in the leg is affected.

Patient satisfaction with endovenous ablation therapy is high. A prominent study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology showed better than a 93% success rate after two years. These results are superior to surgical methods for treating varicose veins, with lower rates of complication and the avoidance of general anesthesia.

After having endovenous laser therapy, you may still have varicose veins but they will be smaller. VNUS does not treat the surface tiny spider veins. However, sclerotherapy (injections of a mild medicine that closes these superficial veins) can be used to treat these.