Does Varicose Vein Treatment Hurt
If you’re wondering whether varicose vein treatment will hurt, you can stop worrying! Today’s procedures are virtually painless and, at most, require just a bandaid!
When the pain and swelling of varicose veins diminish your quality of life, it’s time to consider treatment seriously. But there’s no need to hesitate at the thought of undergoing surgery.
Gone are the days of invasive vein stripping operations and lengthy hospital stays. Today’s surgical procedures are much less invasive, painless, and completed as brief outpatient visits. Keep reading to learn more about modern-day varicose vein procedures and why they won’t hurt.
Varicose veins procedures: Then & now
Until about 20 years ago, vein stripping was the preferred method to treat varicose veins. The patient would check into a hospital and undergo general anesthesia. The doctor would remove the vein via an incision in the leg. Following a hospital stay, recovery time could take up to four weeks.
Over the years, physicians developed innovative, minimally invasive therapies for varicose veins. Today, you can choose several procedures to rid you of swollen, painful veins. Unlike vein stripping, these outpatient procedures typically take no more than an hour. The only discomfort you may feel during the procedure is a slight stinging sensation as the doctor applies local anesthesia, but some treatments don’t require anesthesia at all.
In some cases, you may need to undergo two treatment sessions to eliminate your varicose veins. The recommended treatment depends on the severity of your varicose veins, but you can expect your vein doctor to suggest one of these methods:
Sclerotherapy. The go-to treatment for spider veins and smaller varicose veins, sclerotherapy involves closing the diseased vein with a sclerosant solution.
Radiofrequency Ablation. Radiofrequency ablation involves destroying the vein with the heat from radiofrequency waves. The heat is applied through a catheter inserted into the vein.
Laser Ablation. Laser ablation works on the same premise as radiofrequency ablation, except the heat emitted is from a laser.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy. During ambulatory phlebectomy, the doctor removes the swollen vein through two tiny incisions. Because the incisions are so tiny, you won’t need stitches. Instead, a Band-Aid will suffice!
VenaSeal. A newer innovation in vein care, VenaSeal involves sealing the diseased vein with a medical adhesive delivered via a catheter. The adhesive binds the vein walls together to collapse the vein.
ClariVein. During ClariVein, you may feel a slight pinching sensation as a mechanochemical device with a rotating tip moves through the vein and discharges a sclerosing agent.
Once treated, the varicose vein slowly shrinks as blood diverts to nearby healthy veins. It’s normal to experience temporary minor bleeding and bruising afterward. Your doctor may advise wearing compression stockings to support the healing process. Besides avoiding strenuous activities and keeping any incision dry for a few days, you can safely return to your regular routine.
Undergoing varicose vein treatment is a significant decision, and it’s natural to have questions about whether it will hurt. But whatever minor discomfort the procedures may cause, it far outweighs the pain and risks of living with varicose veins.
Time to treat your varicose veins
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) is dedicated to helping our patients overcome the pain and swelling of varicose veins. Without treatment, varicose veins can progress to serious health conditions, such as skin ulcers, bleeding, and blood clots. We offer a full spectrum of services and procedures to prevent those complications.
Contact one of our offices today for a consultation, or call 240-965-3915 to speak to a dedicated Patient Services Representative. You can also easily schedule online.