Varicose Vein Treatment Has Come A Long Way
Varicose veins aren’t just unsightly – they also have the potential to be very uncomfortable, leading to aches and pains in the areas where they form. Being that they’re fairly common in aging adults – it’s estimated that about 40 percent of women and 20 percent of men have some sort of vein issue by age 50, and this number just increases with age – many people choose to live with them and deal with the inconvenience rather than have them properly treated. One of the reasons for this is that people atempt to find the least painful varicose vein treatment, and might accidentally come across vein stripping – an outdated practice. But with today’s advanced, minimally invasive procedures, there’s a better, easier and more convenient way to successfully treat vein issues. Here’s a closer look:
Why Vein Stripping is No Longer A Good Practice
Not long ago, a practice known as “vein stripping” was the most popular way for treating varicose veins. This is a surgical procedure that involves making incisions in the area of the skin where the vein is located and then attaching the vein to a special metal or plastic wire so that it can then be essentially removed from the body. Typically, patients are required to stay in the hospital for at least one night following the procedure, and side effects such as post-op bleeding and nerve injuries in the area that was treated are potential complications. While this was the typical treatment of the past for vein issues, today there are far better options with faster recovery times, including laser ablation and foam injection. Below we briefly discuss some of the least painful varicose vein treatments available.
What is Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins?
Compared to vein stripping, laser ablation is much less invasive and the recovery times are much faster. Laser ablation is an outpatient procedure that consists of administering a laser to the affected area in an effort to essentially close down any troublesome veins. There’s minimal discomfort following the treatment and patients can normally return to normal activities the next day, though they’ll have to protect the area by wearing a compression for several weeks.
What Are Foam Injection Vein Treatments?
This is another minimally invasive treatment that consists injecting a foam directly into the affected vein, which works to close it. Following the injection, blood will reroute through a patient’s healthy veins, eliminating the unsightly varicose vein in time. This is another outpatient treatment with a fast recovery time.
Which One Is Less Painful?
It all depends on the patient. Both are minimally invasive procedures with minimal post-treatment discomfort and fast recovery times, but the best procedure for a particular patient will depend on their specific varicose vein situation. Know that there are also options available to reduce discomfort both during and following the procedure to make it more overall convenient for the patient. We recommend that you consult with your vein doctor to determine the treatment that’s right for you.
Our Vein Doctors in Clearwater, Florida
For more information on laser ablation and foam injection treatments for varicose veins, schedule an appointment with Vein911 today. As experienced, professional vein doctors in Clearwater, Florida, veins are all we do. Contact us to learn more about our practice and schedule an appointment.
