Today’s options for treating varicose and spider veins are simple and painless, and many can be covered by most health insurance plans. That means it’s easier and safer than ever to get rid of your visible veins with multiple options for non- or minimally invasive treatments. Different procedures are better for different patients, based on the condition presented and patient preference.
SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT
At Wisconsin Vein Center, we use a two-prong approach to treating spider veins to ensure the best and quickest results by including both laser therapy and sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a hardening agent directly into the vein, causing it to swell shut, ensuring no blood can enter the vein.
With laser therapy, a specific wavelength of light is used to selectively target vein tissue, heating it and damaging it, and causing it to fade away over the course of the next several weeks. When treating spider veins, multiple treatment sessions may be required, with results appearing between two weeks and several months.
VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENTS
Laser Varicose Vein Treatment
In endovenous laser therapy, a thin laser fiber is inserted into the abnormal vein after being identified and located via ultrasound imaging. The laser energy heats the vein walls, causing them to shrink and collapse, and preventing blood from pooling and creating the visible vein.
The benefits of this treatment include that only a local anesthetic is used, no scar is left, and recovery is short and comfortable.
Phlebectomy for Varicose Veins
If laser therapy is not recommended due to the size of the vein, an ambulatory phlebectomy can be performed, during which the varicose vein will be removed from the leg using a special hook tool. An incision or puncture will be made to access the vein, and frequently this is only a millimeter long.
Phlebectomy is a walk-in office procedure that requires no downtime and has very little pain or discomfort associated with it.
Varithena Non-Invasive Varicose Vein Procedure
A relatively new option for varicose vein treatment in Wisconsin is the Varithena varicose vein treatment. This procedure uses a chemical we’ve been using for years, polidocanol, in a unique new treatment. Varithena is a device that injects a dense foam with polidocanol into a varicose vein, causing the vein to spasm and collapse so that blood no longer pools in it.
As the first practice in Wisconsin selected to administer Varithena, we’re excited and hopeful about the preliminary results we’ve seen from patients who have tried Varithena successfully. This procedure requires very little local anesthesia, has no visible scarring, and highly consistent and effective results.
RECOVERY AFTER VEIN TREATMENT
Most vein treatments require the use of some kind of compression in the treated area, whether with an ace bandage or specially made compression garment. For some patients, we recommend the use of compression hose all the time to help prevent future varicose veins from forming.
Recovery from our vein therapies takes very little time, although we generally recommend avoiding strenuous activity for up to two weeks. Walking and normal daily activities are recommended to help keep the blood flowing. In some cases, you’ll experience bruising or soreness for a few days after the treatment, which can be mitigated with pain medicine or by walking around.
After spider vein treatment, you’re only discouraged from strenuous activities for three to five days.
VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT IN PEWAUKEE, WI
Learn more about our quick, painless treatments for spider and varicose veins by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Manjoney. During a varicose vein consultation, she’ll examine the affected area and recommend a treatment plan based on the size and condition of the vein, and can get started as soon as possible to get you the relief you deserve. Call or contact us online to get started today!
Dr. Deborah Manjoney is a board-certified surgeon and physician with extensive training, including cardiothoracic surgery. She founded the Wisconsin Vein Center & MediSpa in 2002, where she specializes in vein treatments and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Dr. Manjoney is nationally recognized, having spoken at conferences, received awards, and contributed to medical publications.