I have extensive varicose veins on both legs. I've had them in my calves for years with no pain. Recently, high-impact exercise has resulted in bulging veins on my inner thighs and ankles, which can be very painful. Can endovenous laser ablation resolve my upper and lower leg problems?
Yes, both the greater and lesser saphenous vein can be treated via endovenous laser ablation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you have varicose veins proven to derive from one or both saphenous veins, EVLA can correct this if ultrasound shows you are a good candidate. To qualify for EVLA, the saphenous vein must be at least one centimeter below the skin surface, straight enough for the laser fiber to pass through, and > 3 mm in diameter. We routinely treat both saphenous veins simultaneously by EVLA, when indicated.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You obviously seem to have varicose vein issues; however, in order to know whether the endovenous laser ablation procedure will help, you really need to have an ultrasound evaluation performed on your entire leg(s). The ultrasound will enable the doctor to see what is actually wrong on the inside of the legs and to see how all of your bulging veins are impacted by what is going on inside the leg. The endovenous laser ablation procedure can only be used on certain straight veins within the legs (ie. great and small saphenous veins). The laser procedure will not be able to eliminate any of your bulging, ropey veins on the outside of your legs. Those veins can be treated using other methods. Based on what you have described, if you do have vein issues amenable to the endovenous laser ablation procedure, it would only be the start of what you would need. In order to fix your vein issues, you really need to have all aspects of your vein disease addressed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you have reflux in the great and/or small saphenous vein(s), then it could reduce the amount the veins bulge but. If not, then ambulatory phlebectomy would be required, possibly along with some sclerotherapy. The type of treatment depends on the size and straightness of the veins. Big, straight veins would be treated by laser; bulging veins are taken out; and deeper, torturous varicose veins are injected with sclero. An ultrasound would be required to determine which treatments you will need.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I frequently treat the greater and lesser saphenous veins. My advice would be to treat them 1-2 weeks apart.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, endovenous laser ablation can be performed on both veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The short answer is yes. Both the greater saphenous vein (GSV) and lesser saphenous vein (LSV) can be treated with endovenous laser ablation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
After a proper duplex ultrasound has been performed, a vein specialist can tell you whether the endovenous laser ablation procedure will resolve your vein issues.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You can have endovenous ablation on both the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein. However, this may not eliminate all the bulging veins. Rather, you may need additional procedures, such as foam sclerotherapy or microphlebectomy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, both the greater and lesser (more properly termed the small saphenous vein) saphenous veins are easily treated with endovenous laser ablation. Keep in mind that almost all endovenous laser ablation treatments require ancillary procedures such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy to fully eliminate problem veins. Ambulatory phlebectomy is another ancillary option, but often leaves untreated vein segments behind so I rarely offer it to my patients. Problem veins anywhere on the legs can be eliminated totally when treated properly.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, both the greater and lesser saphenous vein can be treated with endovenous laser ablation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you have reflux of the greater and small saphenous veins and they are contributing to your symptoms, then you should have both of them closed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Firstly, you would need a thorough evaluation by a vascular surgeon specializing in vein disease. The ultrasound scan will tell you the origin of your varicosities and, yes, there are people who need to have both the greater and lesser saphenous veins treated. I typically will treat the greater saphenous first and re-examine the lesser as there can be improvement. Your veins are caused by heredity but can be aggravated by standing, weight lifting etc. People who are very muscular may have more prominent "normal" veins, but if you are experiencing symptoms, you should be evaluated. Wearing a measured/fitted compression stocking will tell you if you will get relief by the procedures, and most insurance companies have a certain length of time for such "conservative" therapy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You need a thorough venous evaluation by a phlebologist with experience. Certainly, most vein problems can be resolved with endovenous ablations and other current techniques.
Published on Jul 11, 2012