Understanding Your Treatment Options
Before you begin reading about all of our treatment options, please know that there is not a one size fits all when it comes to treatment for your symptoms. A very detailed ultrasound is done on the legs first by one of our Registered Vascular Technologist. Immediately after this ultrasound, our Doctor goes over the results with you and will give you a customized treatment plan specific to you. Our Doctor may recommend one, or a combination of the treatment options available. We have created this webpage for YOU, in case you want to read more about specific treatment options.
Please don't get overwhelmed when reading about all of these treatment options because some may not be best for you.
Compression Socks
Wearing compression stockings or compression socks can reduce symptoms of Venous Reflux (vein problems), but it will not fix the underlying issue in your legs. Unfortunately, many insurance carriers require you to try medical-grade compression socks (20-30mmHg) for 6-12 weeks before any treatment will be approved.
This compression sock trial is a requirement from your insurance company and this is not something that we have control over. We do sell a limited selection of socks if you are looking to purchase some.
Wearing compression socks is a lot like wearing glasses if you have bad eyes. When you wear glasses, you see better only while you have them on. The same thing happens with the veins. You wear compression, and this can help support blood flow and improve blood flow in the legs, but it’s not treating the underlying problem. Once you have completed this compression trial that is required by your insurance company, most patients then choose to move forward with treatment.
That’s not to say compression socks don’t have their benefits. They can prevent issues from forming and can be beneficial on long car trips, plane rides or even daily use in pregnant women.
Lifestyle Changes
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to completely prevent Venous Reflux. But there are some ways to reduce your risk of developing it. You can lower your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in daily exercise (including calf raises and pedal pumps), wearing compression socks to help support the vein valves, elevating the legs while sitting, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing. Walking, swimming, yoga, losing weight, and quitting smoking, can possibly help slow the progress of venous reflux and help reduce symptoms as well.
Vein Treatment Procedures
Our vein treatments are always performed in our office and always by a doctor who is a certified Vein Specialist. No matter what treatment option is recommended by our Doctor, the effect is essentially the same: whenever a vein is closed, the blood that was flowing through it is safely and naturally re-routed to the surrounding healthy veins.
None of the procedures used at Atlas Vein Care will interfere with any existing medication you are taking, so you may continue your regimen as prescribed by your doctor.
Radiofrequency Ablation
How is the treatment done?
The doctor will numb the skin surrounding the vein requiring treatment. Then, through a small nick in the skin, an FDA-approved catheter (ClosureFAST®) is inserted into the vein. This catheter is used to close the malfunctioning problematic vein by applying heat. These treatments usually take about 30-45 minutes to complete, have over a 95% success rate, and very low recurrence rates.
We will wrap your leg after each treatment so we recommend that you wear loose-fitting pants on that day. We would like you to wear these wraps for 24 hours and then replace them with compression socks or reuse the wraps for 5 days following each procedure.
What is the recovery time?
Most people see improvement of their symptoms in a matter of weeks after their last treatment. You can resume normal activities almost immediately following treatment. However, we don't recommend highly strenuous activities like powerlifting or marathon running. You can even drive yourself home after treatment.
VenasealTM
How is the treatment done?
Much like Radiofrequency Ablation, VenaSeal™ closes the malfunctioning vein. However, instead of using heat energy, it delivers a small amount of a specially-formulated medical adhesive inside the problematic vein. The adhesive seals the vein shut immediately and the blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins.
What is the recovery time?
You will leave with only a bandaid and you do not need to wear compression socks or wraps after your procedure.
Currently, the VenaSeal procedure is NOT covered by any insurance companies. If you are interested in this treatment, we recommend you schedule a consultation with our doctor to talk about the differences and benefits in more detail.
Benefits of the VenaSeal™ closure system:
- Only one numbing injection
- No compression stockings after the procedure
- Ability to exercise following the treatment
Foam Sclerotherapy (Medication Ablation) – Treats Branch Veins
This treatment is for malfunctioning veins that are too small to be safely treated with Radiofrequency Ablation or VenaSeal. Under ultrasound, we can see these small veins and inject them with a medicine that causes the vein to seal shut. This treatment is often used in conjunction with other vein treatments to get the best results possible.
Varithena Microfoam (Medication Ablation)- Treats Source Veins
Varithena is an FDA approved medication and treatment process that uses a medication called a sclerosant to treat veins below the skin that cause medical problems in the legs. This is used in areas where it is not safe to use other options that may cause damage to nerves or damage to the skin. It is also a good option if veins are not straight or if a person had previous treatment or actually vein stripping in the past. FYI - vein stripping should very rarely be done anymore. There are better options now.
Microphlebectomy – For large Varicose Veins
Also referred to as Ambulatory Phlebectomy, a Microphlebectomy is a safe and effective in-office procedure that is used to remove varicose veins through tiny incisions using local anesthetic. These incisions are so small that no sutures or stiches are required! This is not "vein stripping" even though we are physically removing varicose veins.
Once removed, these varicose veins are likely to never return. The advantage of microphlebectomy is that it is often a “one-and-done” procedure. Microphlebectomy is recommended for the treatment of larger varicose veins and is often used in conjunction with endovenous thermal ablation or sclerotherapy, resulting in more efficient treatment.
Looking for a great vein clinic?
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can help you get back to living your life. Keep in mind, the first appointment is just a consultation. We won’t push any treatments on you and there’s no commitment. The first meeting is all about getting to know you and making a plan that’ll get you looking and feeling better as quickly as possible.