The vascular surgeons at Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville have seen and treated a lot of varicose veins—over 10,000 since 2004. They are specialists in veins, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from your body’s tissues to your heart. Veins have one-way valves that help keep blood flowing toward your heart, but if the valves are weak or damaged, blood can back up and pool in your veins. This causes the veins to swell, which can lead to varicose veins. For some people, varicose veins cause little complications. But for others, the pain and swelling can become unbearable. Luckily, treatment of varicose veins to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the appearance of your legs has never been easier.
Laser Therapy
There are two types of advanced laser therapies to treat varicose veins. Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) is a minimally invasive treatment well suited for larger varicose veins. Through a small puncture in the leg, your vein specialist inserts a tiny optic fiber laser into the diseased vein. Laser heat is then used to close off the vein, allowing blood to be naturally rerouted to other healthy veins within the leg.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is also a minimally invasive laser treatment in which a tiny, flexible catheter is inserted through a small incision. Using ultrasound imaging to pinpoint the diseased vein, the physician then uses the catheter to send short bursts of radiofrequency energy to seal off the vein. As with EVLT, blood is then naturally re-routed to the heart through healthy veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy uses a liquid chemical to close off a varicose vein, and is typically used on small varicose veins in conjunction with the treatment of spider veins. The chemical is injected into the vein, causing the vein to collapse and fade away. It is an in-office, minimally invasive procedure your vein specialist can perform in usually less than an hour. If you have a large number of spider veins, you may need more than one treatment to address all the areas on your legs. Sclerotherapy may also be used after EVLT or RFA to achieve further aesthetic relief of lingering spider veins around previous varicose veins.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy.
This procedure is designed for larger diseased veins to relieve physical pain and discomfort as well as the appearance of bulging veins. Also a minimally invasive, in-office procedure, the treatment removes the vein in sections through tiny incisions. Ambulatory Phlebectomy may be done in conjunction with RFA or EVLT.
Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville’s experienced vein specialists can help you determine the best course of treatment for your varicose veins. Request a consult online or call (865) 588-8229 and schedule an appointment today.