Page 25 - April-May HER
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25 APRIL HER
Varicose Veins – Déjà Vu, or Does Vein Treatment Offer a Permanent Cure?
Treatment of Varicose Veins is much different and better than in the past. There is no miracle cure for varicose or spider vein disease, but fortunately, effective non-surgical in-office treatment methods are available. The advent of readily available ultrasound imaging and the development of Radio Frequency tissue heating devices have revolutionized care and made the old Vein Stripping Surgery a thing of the past.
Recurrence of varicosities with associated symptoms after vein stripping was common. Accurate Ultrasound mapping of veins has made possible the biggest improvements in vein care. With Ultrasound imaging we often see large superficial refluxing veins that were missed and not removed at the prior surgery. The Ultrasound findings are used to direct minimally invasive treatments. With more accurate treatments the recurrence of varicose vein trouble is significantly less.
The good news is that successful near painless treatment is available and is amazingly better that what we could offer a decade ago. The new techniques have eliminated the need for hospitalization and have little or no downtime afterward. The procedures are done in office under local anesthetic in about 45min. It is basically all done using a topical anesthetic for the skin and a mild sedative taken before starting. Then there are just a few needle sticks and no cutting at all. Patients return to normal activities the next day. Varicose veins shrink and most often resolve without further surgery. There is no scaring.
95% of the time the treated vein is obliterated and remains closed at two years. More than 85% are still closed at 5 years. Humans being humans, as we age there is a tendency for additional veins to deteriorate. So even though veins treated with Radiofrequency Energy are gone for good, over time new problems may develop that need treatment. People with varicose veins have a genetic predisposition to have painful ugly veins, so a person needs to stay on top of things and may have interval spot treatments or touch ups.
Varicose veins will not get better spontaneously. They will only get worse with time. These treatments are covered by insurance. Referral is not required and new patients are readily accepted. You don’t need to suffer, if you are experiencing pain or swelling in your legs, get a vein consultation to address the issue today.
   HER MAGAZINE ¯ APRIL/MAY 2020 25



























































































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