Hello, Spring! 3 Ways to Prepare Your Legs and Manage Varicose Veins

There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance, and for many residents of McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas, varicose veins are a significant source of distress. If you’re tired of feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your legs, now is a great time to take action before summer sets in.  

John Hovorka, MD, Cynthia Salinas, MD, and the rest of our outstanding team at Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, are here to help you explore your treatment options for eliminating your varicose veins for good. 

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are distorted blood vessels in your legs that take on a bulging, sometimes twisted appearance that you can see through your skin. They often have a blue or purple coloration, and can develop in clusters or individually. 

In most cases, varicose veins aren’t painful and don’t pose a risk to your overall health. That’s because the human body has an astounding capacity for creating new blood vessels or re-routing blood flow to adapt to damaged veins. 

Your veins are a one-way street, working to deliver deoxygenated blood back to your heart for recirculation. A series of tiny valves within your veins keep things moving in the right direction, which, in your lower extremities, often happens to be against gravity. 

When one or more of these little valves fail, blood can pool within that section of vein. That’s what causes the engorgement that leads to visibly swollen, twisted, and discolored veins. 

Fortunately, there are several ways to treat these damaged veins, helping you return to clearer, smoother skin on your legs. 

1. Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a very straightforward approach to treating varicose veins. The basic idea is that since the veins are no longer functioning properly, they can be effectively sealed shut. 

This treatment is done on an outpatient basis. Your provider injects a special solution into the damaged section of vein. The solution causes the vein walls to become unusually “sticky,” so they’ll adhere together. 

Over time, these closed veins will turn into scar tissue, which your body processes and eliminates in the same way it clears other cellular debris. 

2. Endovenous laser ablation

This is another treatment that works by causing your damaged veins to close up and be cleared from your body over time. It’s also done on an outpatient basis, so you can return home right after the procedure. 

Your provider begins by numbing the treatment area before inserting a tiny catheter into the damaged vein. Doppler ultrasound technology allows them to visualize the treatment area to ensure the catheter is placed properly. 

A laser fiber is then threaded through the catheter to the varicose vein site. As the catheter is slowly removed, this laser fiber creates heat throughout the length of the damaged vein, forcing it to close up. 

The treatment area will be numb from start to finish, so there’s no need to worry about pain. As with sclerotherapy, your body slowly eliminates the damaged vein, leaving your skin clear. 

3. Ambulatory phlebectomy

Yet another way to treat varicose veins is by removing the entire length of damaged vein. This approach is best for large veins or those with especially thick walls. As with the other options, this is an outpatient procedure, with no hospital stay required. 

Once the treatment area is fully numb, your vein specialist makes small incisions on either end of the damaged section of vein. Small sections of the vein are removed, eventually clearing the entire area. You’ll remain numb throughout the process. 

You’ll be instructed to walk around after your procedure to encourage optimal healing. Minimal swelling and bruising is normal, but your body will adjust quickly. 

How to choose the right treatment for your varicose veins

When you rely on Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC, for your care, you receive personalized advice that helps you make the best decision for your needs and goals. Your treatment path depends on the degree of vein damage, your overall health, and your personal preferences. 

No matter which path you choose, you can rest assured you’re in the best of hands. When it’s time to explore these options in more detail, reach out to Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC, to schedule a visit at  your nearest office in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas.