WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS?
There are several different treatments available for varicose veins. In the first instance, a doctor will generally recommend exercise, putting feet up, and wearing compression stockings.1 For those who still find their varicose veins to be troublesome, the following options can be explored:
Thermal vein closure2, 3
A procedure called ‘ClosureFast™’ uses radiofrequency energy or heat to close the damaged vein. This redirects blood flow to healthy veins. Local anaesthetic is applied to the treatment area. After treatment, compression stockings need to be worn for at least a week3. ClosureFast™ is a very common procedure which has treated over two million patients worldwide.
Nonthermal vein closure2, 4
A procedure called ‘VenaSeal™’ delivers a small amount of medical adhesive to seal the damaged vein, rerouting blood to nearby healthy veins to relieve symptoms. This can be done very quickly in an outpatient department and causes less pain and bruising than thermal closure. It also has a faster recovery time, and there’s no need for the patient to wear compression stockings. Over 100,000 patients have been treated with VenaSeal™ Closure System.
SURGERY1
Before the treatments described above, the traditional way of sorting varicose veins was a process called ligation and stripping. This is still in use today, and involves removing the vein – usually under general anaesthetic. Two incisions are made and a wire is passed through the vein to pull it out. This can cause pain, bruising and bleeding and potential nerve damage. In some cases, it can even cause deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein). It can take up to three weeks to recover from ligation and stripping. Patients have to wear compression stockings for up to a week afterwards.
Hear first-hand what it’s like to have varicose veins treated
Sources
1
NHS: Varicose veins – treatment. Available at: https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/varicose-vein-therapies.html. Accessed November 2020.
2
Varicose Vein Therapies. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-veins/treatment/ Accessed November 2020.
3
Proebstle TM, Alm BJ, Göckeritz O, et al. Five-year results from the prospective European multicentre cohort study on radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins. Br J Surg. February 2015;102(3):212-218.
4
Varicose veins: The condition, current treatments and procedure. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg670/chapter/2-The-condition-current-treatments-and-procedure Accessed November 2020.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS, ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT CVI SCREENING!
EARLIER TREATMENT LEADS TO BETTER OUTCOMES
A recent study showed that patients who received early vein closure treatment along with compression stocking therapy for venous leg ulcers experienced:
- Significantly shorter time to healing;
- Extended time free from ulcers.