Is endovenous laser ablation right for me?

Greenish veins have appeared in my inner and upper thigh. The veins kind of swoop sideways. The doctor I saw mentioned no origin of my problem, but wants to do ELA. Can they guarantee this will solve the problem where the location of veins?

Answers from doctors (8)


Orange County Vein Care

Published on Mar 13, 2019

There is absolutely no indication to treat a normal superficial system in the absence of symptoms. No medical intervention is warranted. However, if you would like your varicose veins treated, a number of options are available such as sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy. You do not need EVLT at all.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/8787_1552000751.jpg
Answered by Orange County Vein Care

There is absolutely no indication to treat a normal superficial system in the absence of symptoms. No medical intervention is warranted. However, if you would like your varicose veins treated, a number of options are available such as sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy. You do not need EVLT at all.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Jun 09, 2014

Find another doctor. Make sure he/she is accredited by the American College of Phlebology. If there is no source of reflux, there is no need to treat. Those green veins most of the time can't be treated without significant risk of making them look worse cosmetically.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1153_1408044089.jpg
Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Find another doctor. Make sure he/she is accredited by the American College of Phlebology. If there is no source of reflux, there is no need to treat. Those green veins most of the time can't be treated without significant risk of making them look worse cosmetically.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jun 09, 2014

An ultrasound must first be done to determine if the saphenous vein is the cause of your surface veins. If it is, then EVLA is appropriate; if not, then EVLA is not appropriate. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1015_1408044084.jpg
Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

An ultrasound must first be done to determine if the saphenous vein is the cause of your surface veins. If it is, then EVLA is appropriate; if not, then EVLA is not appropriate. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Jun 09, 2014

You need Phlebectomy to those veins.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/554_1447800116.jpg
Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

You need Phlebectomy to those veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jun 09, 2014

If you have symptomatic varicose veins (larger bulging tender veins) from saphenous incompetence EVLA may be necessary and you may be eligible for insurance coverage. However, if these are flatter blue veins and asymptomatic just unsightly they are not eligible for insurance coverage as they are not medically necessary. These are cosmetic and can be treated by sclerotherapy injections.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/623_1499902138.jpg
Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

If you have symptomatic varicose veins (larger bulging tender veins) from saphenous incompetence EVLA may be necessary and you may be eligible for insurance coverage. However, if these are flatter blue veins and asymptomatic just unsightly they are not eligible for insurance coverage as they are not medically necessary. These are cosmetic and can be treated by sclerotherapy injections.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lone Star Vein Center

Published on Jun 08, 2014

Great question but difficult to answer without an exam or ultrasound results. If they are true varicose veins, then laser ablation is a great option. Reticular veins will not change with ablation nor would you treat
those regardless. Is there associated pain, swelling, or bulging? You may need to have another conversation with your practitioner to discuss further details.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1418_1425080698.jpg
Answered by Lone Star Vein Center

Great question but difficult to answer without an exam or ultrasound results. If they are true varicose veins, then laser ablation is a great option. Reticular veins will not change with ablation nor would you treat
those regardless. Is there associated pain, swelling, or bulging? You may need to have another conversation with your practitioner to discuss further details.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jun 08, 2014

Most likely endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein will help provided they also know to identify and properly treat all the sources of reflux and the secondary branches. Most of the time endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein alone will not solve all the problems. You must make sure that the treating doctors knows and has experience how to deal with the secondary branches properly.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/923_1408044082.jpg
Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Most likely endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein will help provided they also know to identify and properly treat all the sources of reflux and the secondary branches. Most of the time endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein alone will not solve all the problems. You must make sure that the treating doctors knows and has experience how to deal with the secondary branches properly.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 07, 2014

Endovenous ablation is done for refluxing valves of the saphenous system of veins. If you do not have refluxing valves then there would be no indication to do endovenous ablation. I am sure that your doctor would do a venous reflux ultrasound in your vein evaluation and this will determine if the procedure is right for you or if another treatment such as sclerotherapy would be better.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1053_1499982262.jpg
Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Endovenous ablation is done for refluxing valves of the saphenous system of veins. If you do not have refluxing valves then there would be no indication to do endovenous ablation. I am sure that your doctor would do a venous reflux ultrasound in your vein evaluation and this will determine if the procedure is right for you or if another treatment such as sclerotherapy would be better.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Endovenous Laser Ablation

Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
I had EVLT about 10 days ago , now I have a big knot on my inner thigh and when I touch it, it still hurts , I had a lot of pain the day after the surgery and I couldn't bend my leg. Is this normal?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -8 answers
If I have had large vessels such as the saphenous closed, is there chance of circulatory problems later on?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -9 answers
Can you please detail some of the restrictions after EVLT?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
I am just over 2 weeks post EVLT and still have pain. As long as I take an anti-inflammatory the pain subsides. Visually the inner thigh looks good. How much longer will the pain last?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -8 answers
It has been a week since my EVLT procedure, and I am wondering if I should continue wearing the compression stocking?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -11 answers
I had swelling in my left foot and my doctor confirmed that the valves in two of my veins were not working properly. I had these veins closed with endovenous laser ablation, but four weeks later I still have swelling in my foot that doesn't go away. Is this normal?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
I have burning pain at my incision site 3 weeks after endovenous laser ablation. It isn't constant, just when it is touched or rubbed. Could this be nerve damage or a hair follicle that is irritated from the incision?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -6 answers
I had endovenous laser treatment and sclerotherapy performed on both the greater and lessor saphenous veins of my legs. It was done on the same day. After a couple of weeks I started feeling numbness and tingling in my legs, mostly below the knee and through my feet. Will the feelings ever go away?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Endovenous Laser Ablation -6 answers
Or does the treatment permanently remove them?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -5 answers
I had EVLT done about three months ago..right after the EVLT procedure i started feeling weird sensations in my ankle and now the pain seems to get worse every day? Could this pain be associated with the procedure?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -6 answers
I am about two months into treatment for chronic venous insufficiency? I have had laser ablation and foam sclerotherapy with very little results. Can anything be done to treat lipodermatosclerosis after the veins are treated. I wear compression hose.
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -13 answers
I had my GSV ablation done 13 days ago and still have intense pain in a segment on the inner thigh just above the knee. Is this level of pain normal and, if so, for how long? I have to take Advil for relief, but my stomach is sensitive to NSAIDS.
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -9 answers
I've heard that ELA can result in deep vein thrombosis. Is this true, and how common is this complication? Is there any way to prevent it?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -7 answers
EVLT 5 days ago GSV. No serious pain yet. Compression stocking to come off tomorrow, but bruising seems excessive with dark patches and tenderness to touch. I was told to use heating pad, and now I'm reading not to do that. What should I do?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -5 answers
What are the side effects of drinking alcohol after my evla?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -4 answers
I have sharp stabbing pains in my leg. It's very painful and the Motrin did not help. I was in tears! This went on for a couple of days. The pain is on my right leg and my left leg isn't painful at all. What could this be?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
It's been a year since my surgery and I still have bruising. Does that mean it's permanent?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -12 answers
Does this procedure hurt?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR