Will Endovenous Laser Ablation improve my circulation?

I have perpetually cold feet and occasional tingling in my feet and ankles. I also have a number of large varicose veins in each leg, so do you think that my circulation in my feet will improve if I have ELA?

Answers from doctors (7)


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Oct 08, 2010

Endovenous laser ablation will improve the venous circulation and symptoms if they are due to venous reflux. Cold feet and tingling may be due to an arterial rather than a vein issue. You should have a full lower extremity evaluation by a vascular surgeon.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Endovenous laser ablation will improve the venous circulation and symptoms if they are due to venous reflux. Cold feet and tingling may be due to an arterial rather than a vein issue. You should have a full lower extremity evaluation by a vascular surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Nov 16, 2009

Venous circulatory symptoms are usually manifest with leg heaviness, pain that increases during the day, and skin changes at the inner ankle area of redness and/or brown discoloration.
The symptoms of coldness of the feet are not typical of a venous disorder. Inadequate arterial circulation can be associated with coldness, but also usually have a very characteristic pattern of increasing coldness and pain when walking a distance which is fixed and reproducible. A professional exam to palpate foot and ankle pulses should be able to evaluate arterial insufficiency.
Coldness of the feet and hands with normal artery pulses is usually indicative of a condition known as Raynauds Disease which is a neurologic triggering causing constriction of the small arteries in these areas which is the body normal defense response to environmental cold. In individuals with Raynauds Disease, the "trigger level" is set at a more sensitive level than average. This is almost always benign condition treated with socks. Another possible cause of coldness in the feet can be nerve damage but often there will be other associated changes in sensation.
Thus, in summary, an Endovenous Laser procedure for varicose veins may be of benefit for your vein problems, but it may not help your coldness in your feet.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Venous circulatory symptoms are usually manifest with leg heaviness, pain that increases during the day, and skin changes at the inner ankle area of redness and/or brown discoloration.
The symptoms of coldness of the feet are not typical of a venous disorder. Inadequate arterial circulation can be associated with coldness, but also usually have a very characteristic pattern of increasing coldness and pain when walking a distance which is fixed and reproducible. A professional exam to palpate foot and ankle pulses should be able to evaluate arterial insufficiency.
Coldness of the feet and hands with normal artery pulses is usually indicative of a condition known as Raynauds Disease which is a neurologic triggering causing constriction of the small arteries in these areas which is the body normal defense response to environmental cold. In individuals with Raynauds Disease, the "trigger level" is set at a more sensitive level than average. This is almost always benign condition treated with socks. Another possible cause of coldness in the feet can be nerve damage but often there will be other associated changes in sensation.
Thus, in summary, an Endovenous Laser procedure for varicose veins may be of benefit for your vein problems, but it may not help your coldness in your feet.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Nov 16, 2009

Your venous circulation would improve, meaning that blood would be able to get out of your legs easier. Your cold feet and tingling are not typical symptoms for venous disease and would probably not improve.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Your venous circulation would improve, meaning that blood would be able to get out of your legs easier. Your cold feet and tingling are not typical symptoms for venous disease and would probably not improve.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Nov 14, 2009

Cold feet and toes have nothing to do with venous circulation in the vast majority of cases. Most of the time, cold feet and toes in patients who are able to walk normally are due to a nerve reflex which constricts the tiny arteries in the skin causing the skin to feel cold. This usually is not a problem if there is no pain in the toes or feet.

Endovenous ablation of an incompetent saphenous vein will improve the efficiency of venous outflow from the leg because it stops venous blood from running down the leg away from the heart.

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Cold feet and toes have nothing to do with venous circulation in the vast majority of cases. Most of the time, cold feet and toes in patients who are able to walk normally are due to a nerve reflex which constricts the tiny arteries in the skin causing the skin to feel cold. This usually is not a problem if there is no pain in the toes or feet.

Endovenous ablation of an incompetent saphenous vein will improve the efficiency of venous outflow from the leg because it stops venous blood from running down the leg away from the heart.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Nov 11, 2009

Ablation does not improve the arterial circulation of the leg.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Ablation does not improve the arterial circulation of the leg.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Nov 11, 2009

Cold feet might have different etiologies. Venous insufficiency is just one. Patients might have more than one problem at the same time. You could have "arterial insufficiency" as well. Solving your vein problem might help. You need to be evaluated in order to determine what is the main reason for the cold feet.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Cold feet might have different etiologies. Venous insufficiency is just one. Patients might have more than one problem at the same time. You could have "arterial insufficiency" as well. Solving your vein problem might help. You need to be evaluated in order to determine what is the main reason for the cold feet.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Nov 11, 2009

The tingling in the feet and ankles may improve, but it is unlikely that the cold feet symptom will improve.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

The tingling in the feet and ankles may improve, but it is unlikely that the cold feet symptom will improve.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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