What treatments are available for varicose veins?

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins develop when vein valves stop working properly, allowing blood to pool in the legs. This condition is known as venous insufficiency.

Over time, increased pressure in the veins can cause:

• Bulging veins
• Leg swelling
• Pain or heaviness
• Skin changes
• Fatigue in the legs

Treatment focuses on improving circulation and reducing unhealthy vein pressure.

Common Treatments for Varicose Veins

Venous Ablation

Venous ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat energy, often radiofrequency or laser energy, to close abnormal veins.

Benefits may include:

• Minimal downtime
• Small incisions
• Office-based treatment
• Improved circulation

VenaSeal™

VenaSeal™ uses a medical adhesive to seal diseased veins closed.

This procedure:

• Is performed in the office
• Often requires little recovery time
• Does not rely on heat energy

Treatment selection depends on the patient’s anatomy and vein condition.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into smaller veins to collapse and fade them over time.

It is commonly used for:

• Spider veins
• Reticular veins
• Smaller surface veins

Do Some Patients Still Need Vein Surgery?

Yes. Although many vein problems can now be treated with minimally invasive procedures, some patients with:

• Large varicose veins
• Severe venous disease
• Complex anatomy

may still benefit from surgical treatment.

A vein specialist can help determine the most appropriate approach.

What Is Recovery Like After Vein Treatment?

Most minimally invasive vein procedures involve:

• Little downtime
• Walking immediately afterward
• Quick return to normal activities

Compression stockings may be recommended after treatment to support healing and circulation.

About Dr. Rajiv Nagesetty

Dr. Rajiv Nagesetty is a vascular surgeon and vein specialist at BASS Medical Group in Walnut Creek, California. He specializes in venous insufficiency, varicose vein treatment, vascular surgery, and minimally invasive vein procedures.

Video Transcript

There are several treatments available for varicose veins, with the most common ones being venous ablation and VenaSeal.

These treatments primarily target larger veins.

Venous ablation uses radiofrequency energy to destroy veins, while VenaSeal uses a glue-type technique.

Both procedures are done in the office, and the choice of which treatment to use depends on the patient's individual condition.

For smaller veins, sclerotherapy is used, which is especially effective for spider veins and reticular veins.

Although most treatments are done in an office setting and involve minimal recovery, some patients with larger varicosities may require surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for varicose veins?

The best treatment depends on the size of the veins, symptoms, and severity of venous insufficiency.

Is vein treatment painful?

Most modern vein treatments involve minimal discomfort and are performed using minimally invasive techniques.

How long does recovery take after vein treatment?

Many patients return to normal activities within a day or two after office-based vein procedures.

Are spider veins treated differently than varicose veins?

Yes. Spider veins are often treated with sclerotherapy, while larger varicose veins may require ablation or other procedures.