Get the Relief You’re Longing For With Varicose Vein Treatment in Pittsburgh
Your varicose veins might be negatively impacting your quality of life, but you don’t have to live with their painful symptoms forever. In fact, you should treat them as soon as you can. Not only can varicose vein treatment remove these insufficient veins, but it can also prevent a more serious venous disease from worsening and protect you from additional complications later on.
Before your treatment, it’s important to know what exactly varicose veins are, and the different ways they can be treated. Fortunately, our Pittsburgh vein clinic can help.
Keep reading to discover what causes varicose veins and how to get rid of them with varicose vein treatment. Then, get started with our selection of treatment options available at The Vein Institute of Pittsburgh.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are a symptom of venous insufficiency, or venous reflux, and form as a result of defective and insufficient valves that do not circulate the blood properly. You can recognize them by their abnormally swollen, bulging, blue-green appearance, normally found on the legs or feet.
Not only are varicose veins unsightly, but they also have painful symptoms, like aching and heaviness.
Ways to Treat Your Varicose Veins
When it comes to treating your varicose veins, you have options. Our vein clinic near you offers three different varicose vein treatments, all of which are minimally invasive. At your initial evaluation, one of our providers will recommend which treatment is best for you based on your personal needs and preferences.
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what varicose vein treatments are available to you, and how each one works.
- Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
Endovenous laser ablation, or EVLA, treats varicose veins with laser heat energy. This minimally-invasive technique uses a catheter to place laser fiber into the insufficient vein. The laser releases thermal energy into the vein walls, causing them to react and seal the refluxing vein shut.Over time, the sealed vein turns into scar tissue and eventually breaks down, reabsorbing into the surrounding tissue. To guarantee a comfortable treatment, EVLA is done under local anesthesia. It comes with minimal side effects and little downtime.
- Sclerotherapy
To remove varicose veins, sclerotherapy injects a chemical solution called sclerosant into small insufficient veins, causing them to scar and close. After they close, the body naturally breaks down and absorbs the vein.Deep insufficient veins that can’t be seen with the naked eye require ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. During this treatment, our medical provider uses a hand-held ultrasound transducer to determine exactly where to inject the solution.
Not only can sclerotherapy successfully treat unhealthy varicose veins, but it can also be used to remove spider veins. Sclerotherapy is minimally invasive and requires no downtime.
- Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy is another quick and minimally-invasive technique to treat the diseased varicose veins. It’s typically performed after EVLA, once the vein has been shut. Local anesthesia is applied to the treated area before your medical provider removes the affected vessel by creating small punctures in the skin.Downtime is minimal. Because microphlebectomy punctures are so small, you won’t need any stitches or sutures.
What to Expect at Our Vein Clinic Near You
At your initial evaluation, your medical provider will perform an ultrasound and examination of your lower extremity veins to ensure they are functioning properly. If insufficient veins are found, they’ll then work with you to create a varicose vein treatment plan that suits your specific needs. Most treatment plans start with wearing prescription-grade compression stockings before planning surgical procedures.
Find a Varicose Vein Treatment That Works for You at The Vein Institute of Pittsburgh!
Now that you know how to get rid of varicose veins and what causes them, it’s time to say goodbye to these painful and unsightly veins for good.
At The Vein Institute of Pittsburgh, our vein clinic provides a selection of varicose vein treatments that will remove your varicose veins and ensure remaining veins are working exactly as they should. Find relief with endovenous laser ablation, sclerotherapy, or microphlebectomy.
Don’t wait to treat your varicose veins. Schedule an appointment with one of our medical providers to get a personal treatment approach that aligns with your needs. To schedule an evaluation, give us a call at (724)934-8346. If you have any questions about our varicose vein treatment options, send us a message online. We’ll get back to you in a timely manner to discuss your concerns.