Treating Varicose Veins

Veins that are cosmetically unappealing or cause pain or other symptoms are prime candidates for treatment.

Lifestyle changes that may help prevent the formation of varicose veins or prevent them from getting worse include incorporating regular exercise, losing weight, and wearing compression stockings.  

Other behavioral changes that may be helpful include: 

• Cross your legs at the ankles instead of the knees when sitting.
• Avoid high heels, which limit the use of the calf muscles.
• Avoid restrictive clothing, which limits blood flow in the groin or calf.
• Avoid prolonged sitting or standing.
• Take breaks to elevate the legs or walk around to help move the blood along and prevent valve failure.

However, if these conservative measures are not providing relief, medical procedures are done to either remove varicose veins or close them. 

Traditionally, surgical ligation or vein stripping was the treatment for varicose veins, but these procedures can be quite painful and often have a long recovery time. In addition, there are high rates of recurrence. One study found a 29 percent recurrence rate after ligation and stripping of the greater saphenous vein and a rate of 71 percent after high ligation. These recurrence rates are similar to those reported in other studies.

Today, treatment of varicose veins usually falls into two general treatment options: conservative measures, such as sclerotherapy, and surgery and light source/laser treatment. In some cases, a combination of treatment methods works best.

Minimally Invasive Procedures for treating Varicose Veins include:

• Endovenous Laser Ablation
• Sclerotherapy
• Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
• Laser/Light Source Treatment
• Microphlebectomy

Learn more about treating varicose veins and how Tulsa Vascular Specialists may be able to help you on the road to recovery.