Varicose Vein Treatment Options

Approximately 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men have a vein problem. Varicose veins affect 50 percent of people over age 50. Symptoms include pain after sitting or standing for long periods, throbbing or cramping, heaviness and or swelling, itchy or irritating rash, restless legs and darkening of the skin. 

Compression Stockings

Support pantyhose offer the least amount of relief for varicose veins because pressure is equally applied to the entire leg. Graduated or gradient stockings apply pressure where it is most effective. Over-the-counter compression gradient hose applies greater pressure on veins but prescription-strength compression gradient hose puts the most pressure on veins. Patients must be fitted by a trained professional for the prescription hose. Both types of compression hoses are available at medical supply or drug stores.

Sclerotherapy

Smaller veins are usually treated by injecting an irritant to collapse the wall of the vein. This varicose vein treatment is meant to impede blood flow to the treated veins. Compression stockings are worn for approximately three to six days for smaller veins and six weeks for larger veins. Side effects include an allergic reaction to the irritant, brown stained skin around the affected area, accidental injection of an artery, and inflammation and irritation of other veins.

Surface Laser

This is a noninvasive varicose vein treatment and is best for veins smaller than 3 mm. Generally, two to five treatments lasting 15 to 20 minutes each is needed. Strong bursts of laser light penetrate the skin and slowly fade the veins until they disappear. The heat of the laser may cause severe pain and is not recommended for all skin types and tones. Side effects like temporary discoloration of the skin, burns and scars, and temporary redness and swelling may occur. Normal activity is resumed immediately after the procedure.

Surgery

A surgical technique for saphenous or surface veins is ligation or tying off the vein and stripping or removing the vein. Phlebectomy involves small incisions and using a special hook to remove veins. PIN stripping involves sewing the device to the end of a vein and pulling it out. The procedure is performed in outpatient centers or operating rooms. Wound infection, deep vein blood clots, permanent scars, nerve tissue damage and bleeding or bruising are risks of the surgery.

Endovenous

This varicose vein treatment is performed in a doctor’s office using local anesthesia and is replacing surgery for most patients with deeper saphenous veins. A small catheter is placed inside the vein and a probe is heated by laser energy or radiofrequency to seal off the blood flow. Healthy veins take over blood flow for the sealed ones. Patients may experience slight bruising after treatment.