Varicose Vein Treatment

There are two types of treatment options for people suffering with varicose veins. The first option, which has been used in the medical field for a longer time, is known as ‘vein stripping.’ Vein stripping involves a surgery that physically removes the varicose vein from the leg, providing treatment through elimination of the problem vein. Though the vein stripping treatment is a highly effective procedure, it is an invasive treatment that requires downtime and has a recovery period. Also, vein stripping involves two incisions in the leg where the veins are being removed, which can cause scarring. For these reasons, many physicians are turning to laser varicose vein treatment. Treating varicose veins with a laser is much faster, painless and non-invasive than vein stripping.
Laser treatment for varicose veins involves the insertion of a tiny needle catheter into the varicose vein. Then, the laser is turned on, allowing its energy to completely close off the varicose vein. The treatment by laser should take under an hour, and the patient is free to go and continue about their daily activities immediately following the varicose vein removal. Since the varicose vein is left inside the leg and is not completely removed (as with the vein stripping treatment option), the bluish tint takes a few months to completely fade from appearance. However, the bulging of the varicose vein will disappear immediately following treatment, along with the discomfort and pain associated with the varicosity. For the vast majority of patients, laser varicose vein removal is the right decision. Patients who have an extremely severe case of varicose veins that cannot be fully treated with a laser, vein stripping is still an option to permanently eliminate even the worst varicose veins.