What is Venous Insufficiency?
Venous Insufficiency is a very common condition that develops in up to half of all people in the United States. It is the underlying cause of varicose veins, leg swelling, and up to 70% of slow healing leg wounds.
Symptoms
Venous Insufficiency manifests in many way, some of the most common symptoms are:
- Varicose Veins
- Leg Swelling that gets worse throughout the day
- Leg Pain that gets worse throughout the day
- Slow Healing Wounds in your legs
- Muscle Cramping in legs
- Skin Discoloration of the lower legs
How is Venous Insufficiency treated?
After diagnosis using ultrasound imaging and clinic consultation, we will discuss multiple options for treatment depending on the symptoms and severity.
At ECCO we specialize in three main treatments for Venous Insufficiency:
- Vein Ablations
- Phlebectomy
- Foam Sclerotherapy
What is Vein Ablation?
“Ablation” means to terminate or reroute a faulty pathway, in this case referring to your superficial veins. At ECCO, we have two techniques to cauterize the faulty veins so that the blood will be re-routed into the larger, intramuscular deep veins and allow decompression of the superficial veins.
EVLT Treatment
One procedure to treat venous insufficiency is called Endovenous Laser Therapy, or EVLT. This is a procedure in which a tiny catheter is introduced directly into the veins via a pinprick, and is guided to the proper location. Then a tiny laser fiber is inserted and heat is used to seal the veins permanently. Blood flow is re-routed to healthier veins in the area.
EVLT is a minimally-invasive procedure done with or without sedation at our facility and recovery time is minimal.
Venaseal Treatment
The layman terms for this treatment is “gluing the veins shut” and that aptly describes this procedure. After a local anesthetic is applied, a needle is positioned within the poorly functioning vein under ultrasound guidance. A tube is positioned into the vein, and the needle is removed. Next, a glue is slowly injected into the vein at intervals, while pressure is applied and the tube is slowly retracted. The glue…<need more here>
Venaseal is a minimally-invasive procedure done with or without sedation at our facility and recovery time is minimal.
What is Foam Sclerotherapy?
Sclerosant is an injectable solution used in the treatment of venous insufficiency that can be injected as a foam or a liquid, and is typically performed after vein ablation. Foam Sclerotherapy is also an important part of venous wound care.
After a local anesthetic is applied, a tiny needle is positioned within the poorly functioning vein under ultrasound guidance. Through this needle, liquid sclerosant or foam (a combination of air and sclerosant) is injected into the veins. The injection is watched with real-time ultrasound guidance.
Foam Sclerotherapy is a minimally-invasive procedure done at our facility and recovery consists of compression socks post treatment.
What is Phlebectomy?
Also known as a “microphlebectomy,” this technique is used to remove bulging, large varicose veins by utilizing a series of tiny puncture sites and the varicose veins are pulled through the skin. This procedure is usually performed the same day as the venous ablation.
Phlebectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure done at our facility under mild sedation and recovery consists of compression socks post treatment.
FAQs
Any Side Effects?
Endovenous Laser Treatment allows our vein specialists at ECCO to completely visualize the procedure with ultrasound imaging, significantly reducing any complications. Any bruising, swelling or discomfort experienced afterward are temporary and can generally be controlled with prescribed medication.
Am I a Good Candidate for EVLT?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for EVLT. During the consultation with your doctor, factors such as your health, medical history, and your overall vascular condition will be evaluated to determine if EVLT is right for you.
