Minimally-Invasive Vein Treatments for Venous Insufficiency
Do you have varicose veins? Thinking about what your vein treatment options are? While this condition is relatively common with age, many people don’t realize varicose veins don’t go away on their own. In fact, they can increase the risk for developing a blood clot or ulcer. Varicose veins, a symptom of vein disease, are not considered a cosmetic issue. They cause symptoms including heaviness or achiness in the legs, itchiness, discomfort, leg cramps (especially at night), and skin discoloration. What’s covered on this page:
- Preventing Veins From Getting Worse Benefits Of Vein Treatment
- Treatments We Offer
- During Treatment
- After Treatment
In the past, the most common veintreatment method was vein surgery. Vein stripping, was often painful and required significant recovery time. However, today there are a number of advanced, proven methods for treating varicose veins and other vein issues. Our vein specialists use minimally-invasive vein treatments for vein disease symptoms. Here is a closer look at how you can help prevent your varicose veins from getting worse. Plus, learn the benefits of non-surgical vein treatments offered at Columbus Vascular Vein & Wound Center. If you still have questions or are ready to see a doctor we offer both in-person risk free complimentary evaluation*.
Preventing Veins From Getting Worse
Are you preparing for vein treatment? Here are some ways you can help prevent varicose veins from worsening and reduce your risk of getting new ones after treatment:
- Get active: Regular exercise helps improve circulation and encourages blood flow back to the heart.
- Lose weight: Maintaining a healthy weight decreases the risk of developing varicose veins.
- Elevate your legs when possible: Elevating your legs reduces the pressure inside your veins, encouraging blood flow back to your heart.
- Avoid crossing your legs: Crossing your legs tends to increase the pressure inside your veins.
The Benefits of Vein Treatment
Minimally-invasive vein treatments serve as alternatives to surgical treatments previously used to treat vein disease. Thanks to developments in medical technology, we can provide non-surgical vein treatments to our patients who suffer from symptoms of vein disease. When you receive one of our non-invasive treatments, you can benefit from:
- Convenience:Â We offer treatment during outpatient appointments, so you are able to go home on the same day. Some of our treatment options take less than 15 minutes and most take less than an hour. That means you can fit vein care into your busy schedule.
- Low Risk:Â Our treatments present fewer risks than surgery. You do not have to undergo general anesthesia or take significant time off from work. There is minimal risk of postoperative infection, and our treatments produce little to no scarring.
- Coverage: Our leg vein treatments are often covered by health insurance, and may be covered by Medicare as well. We work with most major insurance providers and have dedicated insurance specialists to assist with determining our patients’ insurance coverage.
Let our team of world-class vein specialists treat your vein disease so you do not have to live with the painful symptoms any longer.
Below are descriptions of the FDA-approved, minimally-invasive vein treatment options we offer at Columbus Vascular Vein & Wound Center.
Leg Vein Treatment Options
ENDOVENOUS RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY(EVRFT)
EVRFT is now considered the gold standard for treating venous insufficiency in superficial veins. The treatment consists of your provider inserting a small catheter into the diseased vein using ultrasound guidance. The procedure is quick, recovery time is minimal and there is little discomfort. Activities of daily living can be resumed almost immediately after the procedure in most cases.
SCLEROTHERAPY INJECTIONS
Small veins that are less than 1 millimeter in diameter are usually treated with sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a popular leg vein treatment for both spider veins or varicose veins. Your doctor will use an ultrasound to guide a tiny needle into the affected vein and administer a sterile solution. The solution will irritate the inner lining of the vein and cause it to swell and seal shut.
As with EVLT treatment, the healthy surrounding veins will take over the blood supply and the treated vein will be absorbed by your body. Patients typically wear compression stockings for several days after the treatment, but they are able to return to their normal routine immediately afterward.
VARITHENA VEIN TREATMENT
Our Varithena treatment is a foam treatment used to treat vein conditions associated with the Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) and the surrounding veins.
With this treatment for varicose veins on legs, your vein specialist uses an ultrasound to guide a small needle or catheter into the vein. This allows the Varithena foam treatment to reach the affected vein. The Varithena foam will cause the vein to collapse and the blood flow will be redirected to other healthy veins.
ULTRASOUND-GUIDED SCLEROTHERAPY
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy utilizes live ultrasound technology to treat varicose veins on legs near the skin’s surface. This procedure is a minimally invasive technique designed to close malfunctioning varicose veins so they can be naturally reabsorbed into the body. During this treatment, an ultrasound is used to locate the diseased vein and injection site. Then, medication is injected into the vein.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy offers patients relief from their symptoms almost immediately and requires no downtime.
What to Expect During Treatment
Are you wondering what to expect when you opt for one of these minimally- invasive vein treatments? At your initial visit with us, your specialist will first do a complete physical and take your medical history to learn more about your vein issues.
During your physical, your doctor will evaluate any leg veins that may need to be treated, checking for signs of vein disease and any other conditions.
When taking your medical history, your doctor will ask you about the status of your current health. You can expected to be asked questions about:
- All medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) you take. This includes pain relievers such as aspirin, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen as well as blood thinners — all of which can increase your risk of bleeding. The doctor will also want to know about any supplements you’re taking at the time of treatment.
- Recent illnesses you have had, and if you are currently feeling sick.
- Any chronic or existing medical conditions you have, including diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Surgical procedures you’ve had, especially recent ones.
Whether you have any allergies. - Whether you’ve previously had treatment for varicose veins, and how successful the results were.
In order to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding, your doctor may ask you to avoid over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, blood thinners, and other medications for some time before any scheduled treatment.
The day of your treatment, you should avoid shaving or putting lotion or moisturizer on your legs. We also recommend that you wear something loose and comfortable to your treatment procedure. Ask your doctor how much time your treatment will take so you know what to expect.
What Can You Expect After Vein Treatment?
Your doctor will give you specific after-care instructions but, in general, you should avoid showering for the first 24 hours after treatment. You’ll also want to avoid bathing or swimming for several days post-treatment and avoid strenuous exercise until your doctor tells you can resume it. Your doctor may also prescribe compression stockings to wear for a few weeks after vein treatment to help reduce swelling and discomfort, and reduce the risk of developing a blood clot.
Get A Consultation For Vein Treatment
If you think you have a vein condition, you can discuss your symptoms with a specialist during your initial consultation before your leg vein treatment. This first appointment will help you understand your disease and decide on the right treatment. You can make an appointment online 24/7 with our convenient scheduling form, or check for a location near you with our interactive map.
*The offer cannot be extended to recipients of federal aid like medicare/medicaid etc.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I expect at my first visit?
On your first visit you will be meeting with one of our providers. You will discuss your issues and/or symptoms. The provider will then chose what ultrasound best fits your needs and you will be scheduled to come back to our office to have those ultrasounds preformed Be prepared to have wound dressings removed at this visit.
How long do compression stockings last?
Typically our Providers would like you to have new stockings every 6 months. Manufacturers state the compression level will last for about six months. Generally, people replace their compression stockings every four to six months. If you wear compression stockings every day, it’s a good idea to get more than one pair.
What should I bring with me to my initial visit?
Things to bring with you to your initial visit are :
- Filled out New Patient Paperwork
- Medication List
- ID
- Insurance
- Any previous ultrasound or imaging previous done
How long do compression stockings last?
Typically our Providers would like you to have new stockings every 6 months. Manufacturers state the compression level will last for about six months. Generally, people replace their compression stockings every four to six months. If you wear compression stockings every day, it’s a good idea to get more than one pair.
How do I prepare for an ultrasound?
For any ultrasound, you should be prepared to have any wound dressing removed.
Venous Ultrasounds
- Drink plenty of water
- Do not wear compression stockings that day
- No caffeine
- Limit any activity to a light level.
Abdominal Aorta and Renal Ultrasounds
These need preformed on an empty stomach (NPO 8 hours prior to exam).
Carotid and Arterial Ultrasounds
No additional preparation is needed.
Where can I find new patient paperwork?
New patient paper is available in office as well as on our Patient Resources page.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How Does it Work?
Using a very fine needle, BOTOX® is injected into the facial muscles that cause frown lines and crow’s feet. The ingredients in BOTOX® bind to the acetylcholine receptors, essential in facial muscle contraction, and make it more difficult for muscle activity to occur. This reduces fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a more youthful appearance.
How long do BOTOX® injections last?
For most of our guests, the effects of a BOTOX® injection can last anywhere from 3-6 months. As they wear off, previously treated lines and wrinkles may reappear. But, with repeated treatment, frown lines and crow’s feet often appear less severe than before, since the muscles have been trained to relax.
When Will I See Results From Getting BOTOX®?
You may see results as early as within 24 to 48 hours of injection when the BOTOX® ingredients are still binding to the acetylcholine receptors. Results typically become visible in 7 to 10 days after injection, with the maximum effect visible at 30 days.
Why CVVWC?
CVVWC is a highly experienced provider of BOTOX® in the United States. At CVVWC , our highly trained nursing, and medical practitioners will help you target wrinkles. When you sign up for a free consultation, we will work with you to find the treatment and payment plan that works best for you.