Finding the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

You have options when you want to treat varicose veins. But for fast relief and a lower risk for complications, you’ll want to find the best nonsurgical treatment for varicose veins. Here are some of the procedures that may be beneficial.

Choosing Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Once, it was common to undergo surgery for varicose veins. But thanks to the CLASS (Comparison of Laser, Surgery and Foam Sclerotherapy) study, we know there two non-surgical treatment options—sclerotherapy and ablation—deliver equal or superior results (and with a lower risk for complications!) Even better news? Both procedures are available at our Georgia vein care clinic. And this is what you need to know about each one.

Sclerotherapy

Our interventional radiologists can provide both cosmetic and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. The latter uses ultrasound guidance to access varicose veins that are located beneath your skin. Once accessed, doctors inject a foam solution that acts as a sclerosing agent, causing a collapse in the abnormal vessel or vessels and allowing blood to redirect into healthier veins. Most often, we perfirm this procedure on patients who have residual varicose veins after radiofrequency ablation. But it is also a common treatment for the portion of the great saphenous vein located below the knee. (Also after radiofrequency ablation, a procedure we describe in greater detail below.)

In contrast, cosmetic sclerotherapy treats spider veins that are located near your skin’s surface. During this procedure, doctors inject a solution into your problematic spider veins; this causes their collapse, shrinking and eventual disappearance. However, you may need several cosmetic sclerotherapy sessions to achieve your desired results. 

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency vein ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure involving the insertion of a catheter into saphenous veins (peripheral/superficial veins located in the lower extremities) and perforating veins (these connect your deep and superficial vein systems). Once in place, the catheter gets a supply of heat energy, causing permanent closure in the problematic veins. Afterward, the treated vessel will dissolve naturally, over time, allowing blood flow to be redirected to healthy veins in the lower extremities. RFA is an in-office procedure that only requires local anesthetic. As such, it's a non-surgical treatment that doesn't require down-time; it causes almost no discomfort during or after the procedure.

Choosing the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Sclerotherapy is a great option if you have surface-level spider veins. But, as the CLASS study confirmed, combining RFA and foam sclerotherapy provides better results for people who need to address a broader scope of venous concerns.

Of course, our Georgia interventional radiologists also provide other non-surgical varicose vein treatments, including Ambulatory Phlebectomy. We'll determine your best option after providing a complete, in-office consultation, most likley including an ultrasound vein evaluation.

Ready to find non-surgical varicose vein relief? We’re want to help! Just click here to request a consultation at our Georgia endovascular clinic!