Endovenous Laser Therapy (ELVT)

You may suffer from unsightly varicose and/or spider veins and be contemplating your treatment options. A new treatment is available called Endovenous Laser Therapy that may be worth considering instead of other conventional treatments for varicose veins.

Endovenous Laser Therapy is performed under a local anesthesia in a doctor's office with great clinical and aesthetic results. Endovenous Laser Therapy is minimally invasive and has a low risk of scarring and postoperative infection. The procedure itself usually takes one to two hours. You will not be hassled with admission forms and questionnaires and there are no fees associated with an operating room. Recovery time is fast and postoperative pain is reduced. You will be able to resume your normal routines immediately.

Most insurance companies will cover Endovenous Laser Therapy treatment and other treatments for varicose veins that are symptomatic despite attempts at weight loss, compression stocking therapy, periodic leg elevation and rest. Your physician can evaluate your particular vein condition during your first consultation, which includes a history and physical examination. You may also have to undergo a lower extremity ultrasound evaluation. Your physician will also give you advice on how to best manage your vein issue. For basic spider veins though, most insurance companies will not cover treatment.

Varicose veins are diseased and not working correctly. When they are eliminated with Endovenous Laser Therapy, you won't even know they're gone, other than for not seeing those hideous reflections in the mirror. Your circulation will not be harmed and your legs will be healthy. Other veins in the body will take over for the veins that were removed.

Immediately after treatment, you will be able to see some results but after three to six months, you could audition for Dr. Scholl's. This is when the swelling and bruising will have completely resolved.

If you suffer from spider veins, you can be treated with sclerotherapy, 1064 YAG laser or a combination of both. Sclerotherapy involves injected the affected vein with a small amount of medication which agitates the lining of the vein, causing it to seal shut. These medications do not cause pain when injected with a tiny needle. Most people need two or three treatments to achieve 70% to 80% clearance of spider veins. You most likely will not need anesthesia. If you have smaller spider veins, your physician may use the superficial 1064 YAG laser as it treats veins that can't be injected so easily. This is also used to clean up debris from spider veins after sclerotherapy.

Contact your laser vein center or General Practitioner to find out more today.