Like many other venous treatments available at clinics, what attracts patients in Royal Oak, Michigan to endovenous laser ablation is the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Those suffering from varicose veins often feel discomfort or heaviness in the legs. This pain may be disruptive to a person's life and the embarrassment that some patients experience due to the unappealing appearance of this condition may also be troubling. Through innovative techniques, physicians are now able to offer relief from venous conditions such as varicose veins without subjecting their patients to invasive surgical procedures.
Vein stripping and ligation procedures may require a general anesthetic and a significant period of downtime. Endovenous laser ablation, on the other hand, requires only a local anesthetic and a much less involved recovery period. No scars are left behind afterwards and many patients experience very little postoperative pain. The recovery period is quick and easy in many cases and many patients notice almost immediate relief from their symptoms. The physician who performed the treatment may schedule a follow up appointment to check the status of the treatment's progress.
The laser fiber used in this treatment is inserted into the patient's vein, where it heats the vein lining, damaging it. The vein will then collapse, shrink and disappear. Large varicose veins are treated using this procedure, while small varicose veins and spider veins may be treated with other procedures such as sclerotherapy and other similar methods.
The patient will be given protective eye goggles to be worn for the duration of this treatment to protect against unexpected exposure to laser light. A topical anesthetic will then be administered to the area being treated. Once this is complete, the physician will insert a laser fiber into the problem vein, verifying the laser's position using ultrasound technology. The laser is then heated using low energy, damaging the vein walls and leading to the closure of the vein. A bandage is applied once the laser fiber is removed. This procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour to perform, although this may vary. Patients are encouraged to discuss this treatment in greater detail with an experienced physician at a reputable clinic.
Not all endovenous laser ablation procedures will destroy the saphenous vein, but destroying it if it is faulty is not harmful. If this vein is faulty, it may actually be detrimental to the healthy flow of blood. This vein should only be destroyed when it is thick and thrombosed, while a healthy saphenous vein should be left alone to be used in open heart surgeries if necessary at a later time.
Complications associated with endovenous laser ablation are rare, but should be discussed with a medical professional. These may include numbness around the thigh, a pulling sensation, phlebitis, deep venous thrombosis, infection at the incision site and problems resulting from poor application of the procedure. It is important that patients seek treatment from a skilled physician to prevent any avoidable mistakes. All of these possible risks should be discussed in greater detail with a physician. Bruising is common following this procedure, but is often mild and should resolve in about a week.
Those who have further questions about this treatment should direct them at an experienced professional. There may be several venous treatment options available at vein clinics in the community and patients are encouraged to explore all options so that they select a treatment that offers the best results. Endovenous laser ablation has helped many patients overcome large varicose veins in a safe and efficient manner.
Learn more about endovenous laser ablation in Royal Oak, Michigan.
