Monthly Health Articles Archive

Help for painful varicose veins

Varicose veins are more than just an appearance issue. This condition can cause a great deal of pain and swelling for the 25 million Americans who suffer from it. Many people are forced to dramatically change their lifestyle or limit favorite activities due to the discomfort of being on their feet for any length of time.

Varicose veins can be linked to many different factors such as:

• genetics,
• pregnancy,
• prolonged standing,
• excess weight,
• inadequate exercise, or
• a damaged saphenous vein.

No matter what the initial cause, the physiology of the varicose vein is nearly always the same. The valves in the saphenous vein are damaged. The veins near the surface of the skin are stretched and distorted from the increased pressure caused by the blood flowing in the wrong direction, or venous reflux.

In the past, patients have had several choices for treating varicose veins, depending on the severity.

1. The first option to consider is making some lifestyle changes, such as
   • eating less,
   • exercising more and
   • wearing support hose.

   This regimen has proven helpful in somewhat reducing leg pain and further deterioration of the vein, particularly in mild cases. If the patients return to their previous lifestyle, however, the symptoms typically also return.

2. Patients could also have the visible varicose veins removed in a procedure called "phlebectomy." This surgical technique was developed in the 1950s and involves removing the diseased vein through a series of small incisions. This procedure does not address the root of the problem, the damaged valves, which can cause varicose veins to reoccur.
    
3. Another procedure called “vein stripping” has also been common, which removes or strips the saphenous vein. Recovery after this type of surgery can last for weeks and typically causes significant bruising. It can also create post-operative pain, nerve damage and poor short-term cosmetic outcomes.

In the past few months I have offered a new treatment for varicose veins at Kossuth Regional Health Center. This new procedure is physically very easy on the patient and covered by many insurance plans. It’s done on an outpatient basis and people are able to return to work or other normal activities within a couple of days.

This technology uses a very small catheter and radio frequency energy to seal shut the damaged saphenous vein. To do this, we make a single small incision near the knee to insert the catheter. The catheter delivers a radio frequency to the vein wall, sealing it off. The blood then reroutes itself to other healthy veins. There are no stitches and local anesthesia is all that is required.

If you are suffering from painful, swollen legs due to varicose veins, find out if this procedure is right for you by contacting the clinic at 515.295.7714.

-Dr. Prasad Nadkarni is a general surgeon at Kossuth Regional Health Center