Leg pain can be a nuisance and a drag, especially when it makes walking a burden. Legs control so many other parts of the body and daily life, so removing leg pain is a necessity. If you’re unsure about the cause of your leg pain, you may be experiencing Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Symptoms include swelling in the legs and ankles, new varicose veins, achy and tired legs, and skin deficiency.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency occurs when blood starts to collect in the legs. This makes it difficult for blood to reach the heart since the valves are not working as they should. Blood clots may form deep in the legs’ veins causing a condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis. However, there are many other reasons why Chronic Venous Insufficiency occurs. These include vein malfunctions, pelvic tumors, or other reasons that are often unknown.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a very common condition, especially in adults over the age of 50. It is estimated that 40% of people in the United States have Chronic Venous Insufficiency. People who sit or stand in extremes are more at risk, as well as people who have restricted mobility.
If you have Chronic Venous Insufficiency, there are multiple treatments, both surgical and minimally-invasive, available to you. These include sclerotherapy, endovenous thermal ablation, and the surgical procedure of ligation and stripping.
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that takes about an hour. Sclerotherapy works by treating the infected vein with a liquid solution that causes the vein to scar and absorbs into the body. The blood then is redirected into a healthier vein. The vein will completely disappear after it scars. Sclerotherapy is a simple treatment that can be performed in a doctor’s office.
Endovenous Thermal Ablation is another minimally invasive procedure. Unlike sclerotherapy, endogenous thermal ablation uses lasers or radiofrequency. This technique heats the veins, causing them to close. After the veins are sealed, they eventually fade away and disappear. This form of varicose vein removal is fairly simple and is designed to minimize bruising and pain.
Ligation and stripping are the only treatments listed here that require surgery. This approach works for more serious cases of varicose vein removal and leg pain. Ligation is not one large surgical procedure. It is a group of surgeries combined into one process. Even though ligation is a surgery, do not let it scare you away. Most people recover in a few days.
Stripping works by removing larger veins. The doctor will make two incisions to reach the veins. Stripping is a little more serious than ligation and may cause bruising, It can take over a week to fully recover.
If you’ve decided on a treatment that fits your needs and you're comfortable with, give BASS Vein Center a call at (925) 281-5912. We can help you schedule an appointment and answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our staff has many years of experience. We study each medical profile very carefully and meticulously. We take pride in treating veins and helping people improve their lives.
Vein surgery can be life changing for many people and a huge boost of confidence, let's get you scheduled for a consultation.
