Effective, Minimally Invasive Treatment for Varicose Veins
When seeking treatment for varicose veins, the less invasive, the better, right? At The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates, we know veins. We are your go-to source for helping you fully understand your options (we have several!). And with guidance from our team of specialists, choose the right varicose vein treatment for you.
Not all varicose veins require treatment. But if your veins are bulging, twisted and rope-like in appearance, achy and heavy feeling or causing cramping, swelling and discomfort, it’s time to see a specialist. In some cases, we see individuals who aren’t necessarily experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms. Instead, they are just unhappy with the appearance of their legs because of spider and/or varicose veins. And that’s okay, too! In either scenario, we can help.
One advanced treatment we offer for varicose veins is called Radiofrequency Ablation. It sounds a little intimidating, but it’s a fantastic option in many cases. Let’s learn more.
What is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency Ablation, commonly referred to as RFA, has been around for several years but is revolutionary in the treatment of varicose veins. It is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive way to remove varicose veins using radiofrequency energy delivered through a catheter.
The catheter closes the vein from the inside. This treatment requires only a tiny incision. It is performed right here in The Vein Center using local anesthesia and does not require a hospital stay. Most of our patients report very little discomfort and most are back to their usual routine by the next day.
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?
The procedure uses heat energy in 20-second bursts via a tiny catheter inserted into the vein. This energy targets the collagen in the vein wall. Targeting the vein wall causes the vein to shrink around the catheter as your surgeon treats the vein. The vein actually closes at the time of treatment. It’s pretty amazing!
After radiofrequency ablation, the vein is smaller and it no longer carries blood. In time, the surrounding tissues absorb the vein and it disappears.
How Effective is Radiofrequency Ablation?
In our experience, RFA works incredibly well in the right situation. And most of our patients enjoy positive outcomes and favorable results. In fact, two studies* on the effectiveness of RFA ablation reported close to a 100% success rate at patients’ six-month follow-up with no major adverse events. We’d say close to 100% is a pretty decent success rate!
“RFA gives us a less invasive means of treating venous insufficiency without surgery. In the not- so-distant past, surgeons removed poorly functioning veins using a procedure called vein stripping. This involved making two incisions in the leg and stripping out the veins. It was effective but it was painful and sometimes required weeks to fully recover from. RFA is minimally invasive and we can do it right here in the office.”
Jenna Wishnew, MD
Your Trusted Local Provider for Vein Treatment in Dallas, TX
Varicose and spider veins affect millions of Americans. In fact, it’s estimated that 20% of all adults will develop varicose veins at some point in their lives.** That’s a lot of people! While they’re commonly a cosmetic concern, varicose veins can also be debilitating.
If you’d like to talk to a professional about whether (and which) varicose vein treatment is right for you, trust an expert! The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated entirely to the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of venous conditions.
Trust the health of your veins to Texas’ trusted vein experts at The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates. Schedule an appointment today.
*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23074413/
**https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279247/
