There was a time, only a few decades ago, when if you had varicose veins, the only treatment available to remove them was surgical, and called “vein stripping.” Incisions had to be made in the skin, in a hospital while you were under general anesthesia, and then the surgeon literally had to scrape away the diseased vein tissue. The scars left after such “treatments” were often as unattractive as the original varicose veins, and long recovery periods were necessary.
Thanks to advances in medical technology, varicose veins can be treated in the comfort of your local Chicago vein center, in about an hour. The new treatment options require no incisions, no general anesthesia, and no recovery periods. This is all because of a treatment methodology called ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (UGS).
What should our friends in Chicago know about sclerotherapy?
First, it’s effective. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive technique for removing varicose veins quickly and permanently. It starts with a thorough physical examination and screening, during which ultrasound is used to pinpoint the exact location of your diseased veins, even those you can’t easily see. Then, during the treatment itself, while you relax in a comfortable chair or recline on a table, your Chicago vein specialist uses ultrasound again to precisely guide a tiny catheter (smaller than the needle used to give you a flu shot) into the veins to be treated.
When the ultrasound shows that the catheter is in the most optimal location, the doctor injects a foaming sclerosing agent into the vein, which acts a bit like a detergent and washes away the lining of the vein so that its walls stick to each other, and close. This is OK, because the vein is no longer functioning properly to pump blood anyway if it has become varicose. Over a period of days, the closed vein shrinks and is absorbed into surrounding tissue, and other, healthier veins take over the job of routing blood back to the heart and lungs.
What should I expect during and after having UGS treatment?
First, expect no discomfort; the process is so painless that many patients do not ask for even a local anesthetic (although they are available if you want). After the procedure, the leg being treated will be wrapped with compression bandages (which you will only have to wear for about a day), and you will be asked to remain on the table or chair for about 15 minutes. After that, you will be encouraged to get up and walk around, because gentle exercise helps the healing process. You may be encouraged to avoid airline flights for a time after the procedure, but other than that you can resume your daily activities.
Once closed and absorbed, the varicose veins should disappear in a few weeks and be gone forever. There is a small chance of reoccurrence, so your doctor often prescribes follow-up visits to make sure everything is healing properly.
How do I find out more about sclerotherapy?
Simple…call Chicago Vein Care Center today at 773-283-7887 and schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Ramon Castro. He can explain all of the treatment options to you, and answer any of your questions. You can also explore the many articles about vein disease and its treatment on our website at www.yourveinexpert.com.