Varicose veins may be a very troubling condition for those in Canton, Connecticut and elsewhere in the nation. Not only do varicose veins appear unsightly due to their purplish or bluish color and the fact that they bulge from the skin, but many feel pain and heaviness in the legs as a result of the condition. This makes treatment all the more important to many sufferers of this condition. Thankfully, there are several minimally-invasive treatment options that have been developed to help patients overcome varicose veins in a safe, effective manner. Those who are interested are encouraged to seek consultation with a trained professional in their community.
ELVeS is one such procedure that may be effective in treating varicose veins. Standing for Endo Laser Vein System, ELVeS works by preventing blood from flowing backwards and pooling in the vein using light energy to constrict vessel walls of problem veins. This helps to direct blood flow to healthier veins in the area. This is typically an outpatient procedure that is minimally-invasive. The specialist who is performing the procedure will use ultrasound to identify the veins to be treated, and will proceed to numb the treatment area with lidocaine anesthetic for patient comfort. An IV is then started through which the laser may be introduced into the vein.
The doctor then inserts a tiny fiber into the vein, positioning the laser light to close the damaged part of the vein. This is performed under ultrasound guidance so that the doctor may monitor the path of the laser energy on the screen. The laser energy is absorbed by the water that is in the blood, as well as by the cells of the vein walls. This causes them to heat and collapse. The laser does not damage surrounding tissue and is precise enough to provide effective relief from varicose veins.
After treatment, the doctor applies a compression garment and the patient will be told to walk around the office for a little bit before they are discharged home. Patients may then return to normal activities, but should avoid strenuous ones such as exercise. Compression stockings should be worn for about a week to aid in the healing process. There may be a pulling sensation in the treatment area, although over-the-counter medication may be effective in treating this discomfort. A follow up ultrasound may be performed later to determine if the vein is closed properly.
Patients are encouraged to speak with a Canton vein specialist to discuss their candidacy for this procedure. Most are considered candidates for ELVeS if they have incompetent or leaky superficial veins in the legs. The treatment may be effective for treating the greater saphenous vein and the small saphenous vein, which patients should discuss with a specialist.
Like most procedures, there are certain risks with ELVeS that patients should discuss with the specialist. Most use state of the art cooling systems to administer treatment, ensuring the patient's comfort throughout the procedure and helping to reduce the risks involved with the procedure. Some may develop blood clots after this procedure, while the other reported side effect is numbness in the treatment area. This typically goes away over time, although some may experience permanent numbness in the treatment area. This is something that should be further discussed with the specialist.
Learn more about ELVeS in Canton, Connecticut.
