4 Treatments for Varicose Veins

Chronic venous insufficiency is the vein disease behind unsightly varicose veins. These twisted, bulging, rope-like veins commonly appear on the legs and can cause you to feel self-conscious about their appearance.

And varicose veins are more than an aesthetic concern. Left untreated, your condition can lead to complications such as leg ulcers and deep vein thrombosis. In the past, vein surgery was your sole option for treating varicose veins. Thanks to today’s advances in vein care, patients with varicose veins have a number of effective, minimally invasive treatment options to choose from.

At CA Heart and Vein Specialists in Huntington Beach, California, cardiovascular physician Dr. Majed Chane and our team offer the latest treatment options. We have extensive experience treating varicose veins with excellent results. We discuss four of these treatment options below.  

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat from radiofrequency energy to close off diseased veins. RFA is a standard for treating varicose veins. A small catheter delivers the radiofrequency energy to the problem vein. This closes the vein from the inside, only requiring a tiny incision in your leg.

Dr. Chane identifies and maps the problem vein before creating a small incision and guiding the catheter through the vein that needs treatment. RFA is commonly performed in-office with local anesthesia, allowing for a quick recovery. Most patients who have the procedure are back to their regular activities in about a day.

Mechanochemical ablation

Mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) closes varicose veins without heat. Instead, a catheter is advanced into the affected vein and a medication called a sclerosant is injected into the catheter. The solution irritates the vein, causing swelling that cuts off blood flow. Your body routes the blood to a different vein, and the problem vein shrinks.

Polidocanol and sodium tetradecyl sulfate are the most commonly used sclerosants. Like RFA, MOCA is a minimally invasive procedure that requires only local anesthesia. The procedure is well-tolerated and can be used to treat multiple veins in the same leg.  

VenaSeal™

VenaSeal represents one of the most recent treatments for varicose veins. A single injection from one entry point delivers a medical sealant that closes off problem veins. The sealant is nonthermal and nonsclerosant.

To perform the procedure, Dr. Chane advances a catheter into the diseased vein and uses the VenalSeal dispensing tool to deliver the medical adhesive. Patients recover rapidly and return to their normal daily activities right away.

Microphlebectomy

Also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, microphlebectomy removes diseased veins in small segments through several tiny incisions. Dr. Chane uses specialized instruments to perform the procedure, and patients can return to their regular activities immediately.

Following each of these minimally invasive procedures, it is important to avoid strenuous physical activity for 1-2 weeks. For best results, follow Dr. Chane’s advice on how to care for your legs following your procedure.

The experts at CA Heart and Vein Specialists are among the most experienced in the region at using minimally invasive approaches to treating varicose veins. This speeds recovery, improves comfort, and minimizes down time. 

Varicose veins are not only unsightly. If left untreated, they put your circulatory health at risk. To discuss varicose vein treatment and for all of your cardiovascular needs, call 657-206-8491 to schedule an appointment, or request a booking online.