Q: HOW DO VARICOSE VEINS ACTUALLY FORM?

A: Veins contain one-way valves that channel blood against gravity in one direction back to the heart. If the valves don’t function properly, the veins become congested with blood with increased pressure. This pressure damages the relatively weak vein walls producing malfunctioning ‘feeder veins’ and symptoms. Common symptoms include the visual appearance, leg fatigue and heaviness, throbbing, aching, itching, night cramps and ankle swelling.

Q: HOW IS ULTRASOUND GUIDED SCLEROTHERAPY MORE EFFECTIVE THAN OTHER TREATMENTS?

A: Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy treats the source or “root” of the problem at the malfunctioning valve(s) and “feeder veins”.

Q: WHAT ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

A: Treatment options include surgery, laser methods, traditional and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy to name a few. We prefer the Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy technique due to its safety, effectiveness, tolerability, and speed in resolving symptoms.

Q: WHAT PROCEDURES ARE USED FOR THESE OPTIONS?

A: Briefly, they are: surgical intervention such as Ligation (tying off of the vein), Stripping (removal of a long segment of vein by pulling it out with a special instrument), and Ambulatory Phlebectomy (removal of veins through tiny incisions).

Another form of treatment is Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) (pulses of laser light delivered inside the vein). Also, Radio Frequency Occlusion (a catheter delivers radio frequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat) as an alternative to vein stripping.

The above-mentioned treatments may require different types of anesthesia, such as local, spinal or general. The last treatment option is conventional Sclerotherapy (injections into small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin).

However, unlike Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, the aforementioned treatments will treat the present problem but not the source of the problem.

Q: WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR “USG” SCLEROTHERAPY?

A: Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a relatively painless procedure performed in the doctor’s office and does not require any anesthesia or “down time”. Following treatments, patients may resume normal daily activity and are encouraged to stay active. This in-office alternative to surgical stripping is done using injections. The doctor visually monitors the improper functioning valve(s) and vein(s) on an ultrasound screen identifying their locations, which enables treatment to the source. These veins are often referred to as incompetent or ‘feeder” veins.

Q: WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT?

A: With the evaluation and treatment methods available today, spider and varicose veins can be treated at a level of effectiveness and safety previously unattainable. The success of treatment depends in part on careful assessment of the problem by a knowledgeable phlebologist.