Varicose Veins

Varicose Vein Information
The visible varicose veins in the legs both large and small are most often a result of problems elsewhere in the leg. Veins carry blood from the tissues back eventually to the heart. They are thin walled tubes which get squeezed by the surrounding muscles as they contract. This squeezing forces blood along the veins and a series of non-return valves ensure the flow is only in one direction.

If these valves become faulty and fail to close the blood can run backwards (or reflux) and will gather or pool in the legs.

Where this extra blood is sitting in veins close to the surface of the skin, the veins will swell up and become visible and 'refluxed'.

There is one major vein (the greater saphenous vein), which connects to many of the surface superficial veins. Failure of the valves in this vein is quite common and is therefore a major cause of vein reflux disease. This vein runs down from the groin to the lower leg and the faulty valves are often up near the top.

Hence reflux veins disease in the lower thigh, around the knee and in the calf are often caused by a problem much higher up.


Symptoms
The symptoms associated with varicose vein disease fall into three categories: Physical symptoms
  • Tiredness
  • Heaviness in the leg
  • Pain - aching or burning sensations

    Visual symptoms
  • The tortuous blue vein disease seen running down the leg
  • Areas of small red/blue blood vessels in the skin known as spider veins
  • Swelling in the lower leg

    Long term consequences
  • Eczema
  • Pigmentation
  • Ulceration
  • Bleeding


    EVLT Procedure
    The EVLT™ Procedure deals with the incompetence of the greater saphenous veins. Unlike surgical stripping, EVLT permanently closes off the vein while leaving it in place. It uses the energy from an 810 nm diode laser delivered by a fine fiber-optic probe.

    As it is only the probe and a slim sheath which need to enter the vein the whole procedure is performed via a tiny skin nick, so there will be no post operative scarring. The probe is guided into place using ultrasound and the procedure is performed under strictly local anesthetic of a similar type used by dentist to numb the treatment area.

    As blood flows through your veins to the heart, stop valves are supposed to prevent the blood from flowing backwards as gravity pulls it down. If the valves don't close properly, blood pools in the vein, forcing the walls to enlarge and bulge out. EVLT uses targeted laser energy to seal the vein shut and help you look and feel better fast.

    Expanding The Benefits of Vein Closure. The viable alternative to invasive surgery for greater saphenous vein reflux treatment. DIOMED’s EVLT™ (Endovenous Laser Treatment) effectively and safely treats vein disease through the use of a diode laser fiber to close the Greater Saphenous Vein. The procedure is easy to perform and gets patients back on their feet in only 45 minutes.

    The key benefits of EVLT:
  • Simple procedure
  • Performed under local anesthetic
  • Can be performed in the doctor's office
  • Immediate relief of symptoms
  • Minimally invasive, so minimal risk of scarring and postoperative infection
  • Less than one hour examination and treatment time
  • Rapid recovery with reduced postoperative pain
  • Normal activities can be resumed immediately
  • Excellent clinical and aesthetic results


    EVLT Frequently Asked Questions
    Q. How does the EVLT work?
    A. The laser energy damages the vein walls, shrinking them and closing flow through it. This eliminates vein bulging at its source.

    Q. Is loss of this vein a problem? A. No. After treatment, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to the many normal veins in the leg.

    Q. What are the complications of this procedure? The only minimal complications experienced with EVLT have been a small number of cases of numbness that passes quickly.

    Q. Am I at risk from the laser? No. Just as a precaution against accidental firing of laser energy outside the body, you will be given a pair of special glasses to protect your eyes.

    Q. How successful is EVLT? Published clinical studies show that EVLT has a 98% initial success rate with excellent long-term results.


    Venous Treatment-Sclerotherapy
    The spider veins and small varicosities are treated in 15-minute sessions, and it usually requires four to ten sessions. We use multiple dilutions of the most effective sclerosant, sodium tetradecyl (Sotradecol ), for optimum results and minimum side effects and complications. Although painful, almost all patients tolerate the procedure. We typically inject 0.1 to 0.2 mm of solution at a time using the smallest needles possible (30-gauge). Pain is common during the procedure, but occasionally it can last for a few hours up to a few days after treatment. However, most patients describe the pain as mild and not require more than a few analgesic tablets for pain relief. We require post-treatment compression usually by means of a class 2 support stocking. Normal physical activities are not restricted and exercising can be resumed after a day. It is recommended that the patients wear the stockings daily throughout the scheduled sessions and for several weeks afterward. Besides pain, there can be bruising and dark pigmentation of the treated veins. This will gradually resolve over time. Clearing of the treated spider veins can continue for up to 12 months. However, new varicosities can develop which is why we recommend periodic re-evaluation and re-treatment.


    Financing Available
    Financing is also available for EVLT through UNICORN financial. With Unicorn’s affordable monthly payments and interest free financing options, there is no reason to delay having that elective surgery you have always wanted.

    Unicorn Financial Services is in business to help patients by providing financing for cosmetic and elective surgery through our participating provider network. We’ve made the process as simple, quick and patient friendly as possible.

    You can choose an extended payment plan or you can enjoy the option of having to pay no interest at all with Unicorn’s Same as Cash financing of 12, 18 or even 24 months interest free! Check with your doctor to see which programs they have elected to offer.

    Unicorn has a short application and you can apply right from our office. Unicorn responds with a credit decision in minutes. Once you’re approved, you have 60 days to schedule and complete your initial procedure.

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