I am a 37 yr old female who had a laser ablation performed on both legs, high ligation on the left leg, and still suffer from reflux. Sclerotherapy is the next form of treatment I am scheduled to have. Should I continue to wear support hose when traveling, exercising, etc since it seems to reoccur?
You could wear compression stockings until the reflux is eliminated.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Support hosiery should help control symptoms and delay the onset of new varicose veins, which is especially important during air travel. However, persistent reflux after ligation (plus thermal ablation) should prompt your
doctor to consider another source for your reflux, perhaps a pelvic one.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You have a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, which was probably inherited from a parent. You are female and have female hormones. All of these factors can contribute to ongoing problems. However, I am not sure why you would have a high ligation and a laser ablation on the same leg. High ligations were proven ineffective many years ago. My impression is that you have a failed laser ablation on this side. I would recommend that you are comfortable with ongoing treatment and seek a second opinion from a qualified vascular surgeon who is accredited and has experience in these procedures. This should include an ultrasound examination. This will help you make the appropriate decision.
We always recommend some sort of lower strength compression hose for traveling (15-20 mmHg) to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis and in your case, superficial thrombosis). If you are exercising, your calf muscles are pumping and helping circulate the venous blood so hose aren't generally needed unless you are uncomfortable.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, you wear the hose when traveling and exercising. With exercising, however, it could become uncomfortable. If so, you can take them off and there will be no issue since the act of working out helps blood circulate better throughout the body.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, it would be advisable for you to utilize compression whenever possible. It can be especially beneficial when worn during long periods of travel (air, auto etc.). The compression is assistive to the valves in the veins of the leg and allows them to function as optimally as possible.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should be wearing compression stockings throughout your treatment, including sclerotherapy. This will be for several weeks. If you are traveling or exercising during this period, you should be wearing them. After treatment is completed, I recommend wearing compression stockings for travel (plane, train, or car) if the trips are two hours or more. You will require surveillance and follow-up on a biannual or annual basis even when treatment is "completed."
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Based on your history, you will likely need compression stockings for life. They might not prevent the recurrence of varicose veins, but will help to minimize the symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is hard to say that your vein issues have recurred since you have never been fully treated based on what you are saying. Merely undergoing a laser ablation and ligation of your saphenous vessels does not constitute adequate treatment. Sclerotherapy utilizing ultrasound would be the appropriate next step, followed by visual sclerotherapy. Please note, however, the sclerotherapy treatments must involve all aspects of the leg and not just where you might see a spider vein. All of your underlying reticular veins also need to be treated in order to constitute a complete treatment. As for wearing compression stockings, I would advise you to wear them when flying and when on long road trips. They are really not necessary when exercising. If you like wearing them, then that is fine as well.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should wear support hose when traveling more than 2 hours and on a daily basis if you still have reflux. There is support hose made specifically for exercise ,but I do not think that you need them during exercise. During exercise, the calf muscles contract to push the blood out of the veins, increase the venous return and decrease the venous pressure. This is exactly what support hose do, so why duplicate the work? More importantly, if you still have reflux, this is what should be treated.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, you should wear the hose during travel and exercising.
Published on Jul 11, 2012