If you have varicose veins, you may have heard that one way to treat them is with vein stripping. Since varicose veins are sometimes sore and painful, not to mention unsightly, you are anxious for any kind of treatment to relieve the discomfort. Maybe you tried a variety of home remedies, such as wearing compression stockings or elevating your feet, but nothing has worked.
Talk to your New York vein specialist about other options. New vein treatments make it possible to have your varicose veins treated on an outpatient basis with little discomfort and a brief recovery time. You do not need general anesthesia or an overnight hospital stay. And in most cases, the new treatments offer better long-term results than old methods, like vein stripping.
Why Vein Stripping Is Outdated
When stripping was used to treat large varicose veins, it was an invasive procedure done in a hospital. You were put under general anesthesia in an operating room. The varicose vein was clamped off and surgically removed. Afterward, you had to wear bandages to control the bleeding and swelling, sometimes for as long as five days.
After the procedure, you could not return to work for one to three weeks. The incision healed slowly, so you could not resume normal activities. You may have even experienced a return of your varicose veins over time. Additionally, there were the risks from an invasive procedure like stripping veins, such as:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Potentially life-threatening blood clots
- Nerve damage
One Alternative
Vein stripping has been replaced by more modern alternative ways to treat varicose veins. The new procedures are much less invasive and can be done right in your New York doctor’s office without the need to stay overnight in a hospital. These newer treatment approaches are safer, faster and less painful, too. And you can return to your normal activities much more quickly.
One alternative is an injection therapy such as sclerotherapy. It involves injecting a liquid or foam into the affected vein to cause it to permanently close. The procedure takes 30 minutes or less, and you can resume normal activities that day or the next.
Other Modern Varicose Vein Treatments
Other modern options for varicose vein treatment include laser ablation and radiofrequency vein treatment. These treatments close the vein from the inside. In radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a probe heats the vein until it is closed off. During endovenous laser ablation, lasers are used instead of radio waves to generate heat and close off the vein. In these procedures, the vein doesn’t have to be stripped or removed, leading to less discomfort and a shorter recovery time.
Very small veins on the surface of your leg can be removed using a procedure called phlebectomy. Minimally invasive, it is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. No stitches are needed, and your recovery is quick and safe.
Choose a Modern Approach to Vein Treatment
You do not have to decide which of these new modern approaches to varicose vein treatments is the best one for you. Visit a vein specialist in Manhattan for the best advice. Your NYC doctor can evaluate your veins and determine the best approach.
If your varicose veins are causing you a lot of discomfort, heaviness, achiness or pain, you can get help. Do not keep living with the pain just because you want to avoid vein stripping. Contact a vein doctor like Dr. Susan Bard at Manhattan Vein Specialists of NYC for a consultation and find out the best treatment option for you.