About Varicose Vein Surgery
Varicose veins are notorious for their appearance of being violaceous, swollen, and twisted on the legs, but also for causing symptoms of pain. The most common symptoms are swelling, muscle cramps, throbbing pain, thickening of the skin, color change of the skin, and a heavy sensation in the legs.
There are treatments that can be performed at home that are able to help symptoms.
- Elevating the legs at the end of the day can help to move blood through the veins with the help of gravity.
- Compression stockings can be put on first thing in the morning to help compress the legs to alleviate and reduce symptoms of swelling.
- Exercising can increase contraction of muscles that squeezes the veins to move the blood toward the heart and can help with weight loss.
- Avoidance of heat, such as hot showers or hot tubs, as this can increase blood flow to the veins through the process of vasodilation.
The types of conservative treatments listed above are often helpful to alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins; however they may become ineffective or do not provide enough relief of symptoms.
Surgical Options for Varicose Veins
The alternative therapies for the treatment of varicose veins include both surgical and minimally invasive procedures.
Surgical procedures have been performed for many years and were the primary option to treat varicose vein. Surgery is invasive and requires an operating room and general anesthesia.
Vein Stripping
Minimally Invasive - Sclerotherapy & Endovascular Laser
Minimally invasive options are typically performed in the doctor’s clinic or office and do not require extensive incisions. The minimally invasive techniques available are ablation procedures.
Sclerotherapy
Endovascular Laser
Find out it Varicose Vein Surgery is Right for You
There are a lot of things to consider when looking at options to treat your varicose veins, such as if the procedure is right for you and the potential complications of each procedure. If you have tried the home therapies and still have consistent and daily pain, it may be time to decide if one of these procedures is right for you.
Meet Dr. Mackay
Contact the office of Dr. Edward Mackay, a board certified vascular surgeon providing services to patients in the Tampa area.