When the one-way valves in your leg veins are weakened by advancing age, pregnancy, or a sedentary lifestyle — or if they’re damaged by excess body weight, tobacco use, or a job that keeps you on your feet — they can no longer facilitate efficient lower extremity blood flow.
This common form of vascular dysfunction sets the stage for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which is the top cause of varicose leg veins as well as superficial venous reflux — or worsening varicosities that become inflamed, cramped, and painful without treatment.
Not long ago, invasive vein stripping surgery was the only way to remove unwanted varicose veins. Today, thanks to ongoing advances in endovenous ablative techniques, our skilled team at Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC can use nonsurgical radiofrequency energy to get rid of problematic veins in no time flat.
Here, we explore three major advantages of endovenous ablation therapy — a minimally invasive, maximally effective varicose vein solution.
1. A minimally invasive vein removal treatment
One of the most significant benefits of endovenous ablation— also called venous ablation or radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation — is that it’s ultra-minimally invasive. In fact, because it’s done through a very small incision, the treatment doesn’t even qualify as minor surgery.
So, how does this minimally invasive, completely nonsurgical vein removal technique work?
Simply put, it uses painless heat energy in the form of high-frequency radio waves to contract and seal off the damaged vein from the inside out, prompting your blood flow to redirect itself through normal, healthy veins. Once the targeted vein has collapsed inward, it fades from view, your lower extremity circulation improves, and your symptoms ease or disappear.
2. A safe, painless, and quick in-office procedure
Endovenous ablation is a painless and an exceptionally safe vein removal technique that carries a very low risk of potential side effects and complications, especially compared to conventional vein stripping surgery. To perform the treatment, we:
- Administer a local anesthesia to numb the treatment area
- Use ultrasound imaging to visualize the vein in its entirety
- Make a tiny incision over the pre-planned vascular entry point
- Insert an ultra-thin, specialized RF catheter into the opening
- Slide the catheter through the vein with ultrasound guidance
- Activate the catheter to emit controlled heat into the vessel
- Slowly withdraw the catheter, causing the vein to contract
Once we’ve withdrawn the catheter, we cover the incision with a bandage (it typically doesn’t require stitches), and perform a final ultrasound to confirm that the treated vein is completely closed. While your appointment takes about an hour from start to finish, the treatment itself only takes about five minutes.
3. Effective symptom relief and cosmetic results
Perhaps the most enjoyable advantage of venous thermal ablation — at least from a patient’s perspective — is its reliable delivery of fast, effective symptom relief and vein-clearing cosmetic results. We can use the treatment to help you greatly improve or eliminate:
- Large, bulging varicose veins
- Painfully swollen varicosities
- Periodic or ongoing leg pain
- Heavy, cramped, or swollen legs
- Itching or tingling sensations
Given that venous ablation is minimally invasive and leaves the treated vein in place to shrink away (versus stripping it out of your body in an invasive surgical procedure), you can expect minimal scarring and a shorter recovery, too — meaning you can return to your normal routine sooner rather than later.
Ready to find out how minimally invasive venous ablation can help you put an end to unsightly, uncomfortable, or otherwise unwanted varicose veins? We’re here to help. Give us a call today, or click online to schedule an appointment at Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC in Somerville, Somerset, or Hillsborough, New Jersey anytime.
