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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Understanding Problem Leg Veins

Do your legs feel tired and achy at the end of the day? Have you stopped wearing shorts because you don't like the way your legs look? Vein problems are not related to artery problems such as those that can cause heart disease. But, abnormal lef veins can affect your health and your self-image. Treatments for these veins include self-care, minimally invasive treatments, and surgery. They can relieve symptoms and help you feel better about your appearance, too.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins occur when vein damage causes blood to flow in the wrond direction. Blood then pools in the veins, causing them to swell. The most common site of varicose veins is the legs. These veins can cause leg fatigue, aching, itching, and other symptoms. The veins may also bulge, twist, and stand out visibly.

What can be done about Problem Veins

Your doctor can help you choose the best course of treament. In many cases, spider veins can be treated with sclerotherapy (injections). Treatments for varicose veins include endovenous abliation, surgery, or a variation of one of these. All procedures either destroy or remove problem veins. Blood then reroutes through other veins. meanwile, self-care, though not a cure, can reduce symptoms.

Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous Ablation uses heat to treat a varicose vein, often a saphenous vein. Closing off a problem vein reduces pressure on smaller varicose veins. The procedure is a less invasive alternative to stripping surgery. Endovenous ablation involves only needle punctures, not incisions. You can resume normal activities soon after the procedure.

Preparing for Surgery

This procedure can be done in your doctor's office, a hospital or a surgery center. In most cases, you don't need to do anything to prepare. You will be awake and able to talk to your doctor during the procedure. Pain is controlled with local anesthesia. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you relax. When the procedure is complete, pressure or bandage is applied to the puncture site to stop bleeding.

Aftercare

You will be able to return home soon after the procedure. You can resume your normal activities, including work, in 1 to 2 days. You may see some bruising, but little or no swelling. And pain you have can likely be controlled with over-the-counter medications. Your legs may look and feel better right away. Or it may take 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure to see improvements.

Keep these points in mind while you recover

  • Wear elastic stockings or bandages as instructed.
  • Walk each day.
  • Avoid heavy exercise, lifting or prolonged standing for 7 to 14 days.
  • Avoid hot baths, saunas, whirlpools, and other hot environments as advised by your doctor.
  • If possible, avoid immediate air travel.
  • Follow any other special instructions.

Call your surgeon if:

  • Increasing pain occurs
  • Persistent bleeding or oozing
  • Numb feet
  • Swelling
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

 

Types of Vein Surgery:

Endovenous Ablation

Your doctor puctures the vein with a needle. A heat source, either radiofrequecy (RF) or laser, is delivered by a catheter (thin tube) ino the vein. Ultrasound is used to help position the heat source in the proper place in the vein. The heat source is then drawn backward, ablating (destroying) the tissue and closing the vein behind it. Over time, the body absorbs the treated vein.

Sclerotherpy

This technique involves injecting a problem vein with a chemical. The chemical causes the blood vessel to close up and eventurally disappear. Sclerotherapy is the main treatment of certain varicose veins. This treatment is performed in a short office visit and is often painless.

Risks and Complications

Every surgery has some risks. Your surgeon will talk with you about the risks of peripheral bypass surgery. They include:

  • Superficial inflammation
  • Temporary skin numbness
  • Infection
  • Skin burn
  • Blood clot in deep vein
  • Blood clot traveling to the lung