Leg Vein Treatment

The vast majority of adults who want to eliminate spider veins and varicose veins can benefit a great deal from a custom vein treatment plan. Typically, the best candidates for vein treatments are aged 30 to 60, however we have treated patients as young as teenagers through adults over 90. Anyone who suffers from spider veins and varicose veins, are in good general health, do not have a bleeding or clotting disorder, and can follow post-treatment care guidelines may still be a good candidate for the vein therapies that are available.

The recovery from sclerotherapy is relatively short. Patients can often return to work or other normal activities immediately but that they may want to avoid strenuous activity for 3-5 days after the procedure. It is important to avoid strenuous activity and excessive heat for the first few days of recovery and to wear compression stockings as directed in our post-treatment instructions. Though comfort may improve significantly in this timeframe, the cosmetic aspects of sclerotherapy can take longer to resolve.

Sclerotherapy works by closing veins so blood cannot pool and cause visible and invisible symptoms. Once the vein collapses, the body will recognize it as unviable and will absorb it. This process occurs naturally over the course of about six weeks. Sometimes it can take longer for the remnants of the vein to completely disappear. Patients may begin to see their once-problematic veins lighten three to four weeks after their sclerotherapy procedure. Sometimes sclerotherapy must be repeated to fully eradicate the visible symptoms of varicose veins.

Yes. Patients sometimes present with multiple vein issues at one time. To address each, we develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may combine a few different modalities. The objective of vein treatment is to eliminate the venous insufficiency that is causing problems like spider veins and varicose veins. Treatments are performed to reduce uncomfortable symptoms and improve the appearance of the legs.

As an example, spider veins may be treated with sclerotherapy, while deeper veins experiencing reflux may be treated with radiofrequency ablation. Some varicose veins may respond well to non-thermal therapies like VenaSeal. Some may need more comprehensive vein treatment like ambulatory phlebectomy. The advantage of receiving care from our vein specialists is that they have the various modalities that are necessary to meet broader venous insufficiency in a safe, effective manner.

Complications are quite rare, but there is a possibility of deep vein thrombosis; this can occur in any procedure where a catheter is placed into a vein. Nerve damage to sensory surface veins is possible, but these nerves usually return to normal in a few weeks to a couple of months.

Laser vein treatment, or endovenous laser ablation, offers several benefits including:

• Symptom relief
• Less invasive as it is not a surgical procedure
• Same day, outpatient procedure
• Little to no scarring

As with radiofrequency ablation, just about anyone bothered by their varicose veins is a great candidate for endovenous laser ablation. Dr. Heeringa advises patients to exhaust conservative treatment options — wearing compression stockings, losing weight, exercise (particularly with your legs), and elevating your legs while sitting — before opting to have endovenous thermal ablation.

Following your treatment, we’ll put you in a gradient compression stocking to help reduce bruising and tenderness and to minimize the rare possibility of blood clot formation. The pressure also helps the body start going about the process of absorbing the closed-off vein. This is important for the vein to fully vanish from view. You’ll wear these compression stockings for two weeks.

You can return to normal activities and work immediately. Moving about is important. Pretty much the only thing you shouldn’t do is get on a plane or anything involving prolonged sitting, such as a long car trip. You’ll have to avoid long-haul flights for at least 1-2 weeks. Staying active is the best way to avoid the risk of developing blood clots.

Endovenous laser ablation takes just 20-30 minutes per leg.

The veins closed off by Dr. Heeringa with endovenous thermal ablation are permanently closed. They won’t return to pumping blood, so they then cannot become varicose veins either. Most veins treated with laser ablation are effectively invisible, even to ultrasound, 12 months after the procedure. There isn’t any scarring with this procedure, and there is little, if any, discomfort. The treated vein will not return. Of course, you can still develop other varicose veins in the future, but we have world-class vein therapies to treat these as well.

As with any procedure where the skin is penetrated, there is a slight risk of infection, but this occurs in less than 1 in 1,000 cases. Since the catheter is inside the blood vessel, there is a risk of damage to the blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site, and infection. The experience of Dr. Heeringa and our team at Northern Michigan Vein Specialists greatly mitigates this risk.

Patients often have some post-procedure bruising and tenderness: please wear your compression stockings to help ease these.

Thrombophlebitis (swelling of the vein) is not uncommon, and this can cause pain and tenderness over the treated area. Most patients only need over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and ice to handle the pain.
There is an extremely low risk of a pulmonary embolism where a blood clot forms in the vein and can travel to the lungs. However, Dr. Heeringa and our team will discuss this with you in consultation so that you stay safe and healthy.